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Schröder says while he was able to carry the German flag during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, he still doesn't feel the love.
Dennis Schröder has spent over a decade in the NBA, but says he'll never get as much love from German fans as Dirk Nowitzki because of his dark skin.
In a new interview with German outlet Stern, Schröder says, "I was already sitting in front of the TV at the age of 14 when Dirk Nowitzki carried the flag at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. Back then, I thought: How cool, there can't be a greater appreciation."
He continues, "Today, however, I know: It's a great honor, but it will never be the same for me as it was for Dirk. I won't receive the same love in this country because I'm dark-skinned."
Schröder is the current captain of the German National Basketball team.
Schröder admits in the interview he may not have always fit the mold of the traditional German basketball player in the past, splurging on expensive purchases.
"I've made mistakes, I'm not perfect. Nevertheless, it's wrong to judge someone you don't know well," he says. Then adds, "This is a societal problem, and social media only exacerbates this superficiality and hatred. The fact that I was allowed to be a flag-bearer doesn't make this story any better."
Much like his idol, Schröder did carry the flag for Germany during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 31-year-old was drafted into the NBA by the Atlanta Hawks back in 2013 and spent five seasons with the franchise. From there, he bounced around the league with brief stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets and others—for a total of 10 different teams.
During the 2019-2020 season with the Thunder, he finished 2nd in Sixth Man of the Year voting.
He's currently a member of the Sacramento Kings with a career average of 14 points, 4.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds.
www.complex.com
Dennis Schröder has spent over a decade in the NBA, but says he'll never get as much love from German fans as Dirk Nowitzki because of his dark skin.
In a new interview with German outlet Stern, Schröder says, "I was already sitting in front of the TV at the age of 14 when Dirk Nowitzki carried the flag at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. Back then, I thought: How cool, there can't be a greater appreciation."
He continues, "Today, however, I know: It's a great honor, but it will never be the same for me as it was for Dirk. I won't receive the same love in this country because I'm dark-skinned."
Schröder is the current captain of the German National Basketball team.
Schröder admits in the interview he may not have always fit the mold of the traditional German basketball player in the past, splurging on expensive purchases.
"I've made mistakes, I'm not perfect. Nevertheless, it's wrong to judge someone you don't know well," he says. Then adds, "This is a societal problem, and social media only exacerbates this superficiality and hatred. The fact that I was allowed to be a flag-bearer doesn't make this story any better."
Much like his idol, Schröder did carry the flag for Germany during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 31-year-old was drafted into the NBA by the Atlanta Hawks back in 2013 and spent five seasons with the franchise. From there, he bounced around the league with brief stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets and others—for a total of 10 different teams.
During the 2019-2020 season with the Thunder, he finished 2nd in Sixth Man of the Year voting.
He's currently a member of the Sacramento Kings with a career average of 14 points, 4.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds.
Dennis Schröder Says German Fans Won’t Love Him Like Dirk...
Dennis Schröder says he'll never be loved as much as Dirk...
www.complex.com
Lack self awareness, brehs
