After winning the EuroBasket 2025 and being named the tournament's MVP, Dennis Schroder admitted that Dirk Nowitzki was the one who made every player to join the national team.
Dennis Schroder led Germany to its second-ever EuroBasket title and was named the tournament's MVP.
For Schroder, it was his 3rd medal, representing Germany. He also became the World Champion in 2023 and won the bronze medal in the EuroBasket 2022.
Just as he was this year, he earned the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup MVP award and has been the face of Germany’s golden generation.
While Dirk Nowitzki remains the undisputed GOAT of German basketball, Schroder was asked what it would take to spark a conversation about whether someone else could one day claim that title.
However, Schroder was clear that he doesn't chase it.
"Dirk is a guy who changed basketball for all the big guys," Schroder said. "So, at the end of the day, I'm Dennis Schroder, and everybody got their own legacy."
Credit IMAGO/HMB-Media-SCANPIX
"Dirk, what he's been doing for the German national team and what he's done in the NBA and in the national team made us come to the national team and represent our country," Schroder added.
The EuroBasket 2025 MVP also noted that he wants to create his own legacy, rather than chasing the GOAT status.
"At the end of the day, my name is Dennis Schroder, and I'm just Dennis Schroder, and that's my legacy. Whatever I can bring to the table to make sure my teammates are good and we compete at the highest level and win gold medals. That's what I'm going to do. Everything else doesn't matter," Schroder concluded.
Schroder finished the final with 16 points (5/11 FG, 1/3 3PT, 5/6 FT), 12 assists, and 3 rebounds.
He became a player with the most assists in the final game, overtaking Lorenzo Brown, who dished 11 assists for Spain in the EuroBasket 2022 gold medal game.
Overall, Schroder finished his EuroBasket 2025 campaign averaging 20.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game in 8 appearances and was named to the EuroBasket 2025 All-Star Five.
This Was The Perfect Ending To A Crazy EuroBasket!
Edvinas Jablonskis
Edvinas Jablonskis began his basketball coverage career in 2017. Starting as a Daily Writer for BasketNews.lt, he steadily climbed the ranks and became a Daily Editor for BasketNews.com in 2021, a position he continues to hold. Over the years, Jablonskis has covered multiple EuroLeague Final Fours and international tournaments, including the FIBA EuroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup, and FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
About author
Subscribe to BN+ and get access to exclusive content.