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Former Nets Guard Dennis Schroder Leads Germany to EuroBasket Win

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 2nd 2025 at 12:16 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Dennis Schroder turns former Nets star into a EuroBasket champion for Germany

In a historic finish to the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, former Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Schroder became the face of a triumph that sent German fans into a collective euphoria. The 34‑year‑old, who has spent the better part of a decade in the NBA – with stints in New York, Los Angeles, Golden State, and beyond – finally saw his dual‑national eligibility translate into a national title. Germany’s 75‑71 victory over a star‑laden France in Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy marked the country’s second EuroBasket crown, a 20‑year wait that ended in a manner that felt as much like a fairy‑tale as a sports story.

From the Nets to the German national team

Schroder’s basketball journey began in the small German town of Stuttgart, where his parents encouraged him to pursue the sport even as he lived in a city that was still rediscovering its love for basketball. He was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in 2017 as the 22nd overall pick. During his five‑season tenure in New York, he averaged 12.5 points and 3.6 assists per game, earning a reputation as a slick playmaker who could dish out passes and finish in the paint.

After being traded to the Golden State Warriors in 2021, he played for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks, and the New Orleans Pelicans before taking a brief detour in the Chinese Basketball Association. Yet, despite the constant movement in the NBA, Schroder’s heart remained with Germany. When the national team reached out for the 2025 EuroBasket, he signed on, pledging to bring his elite experience to the European stage.

Schroder himself has said, “I grew up in Germany, but I also grew up with the NBA. It felt right to put my feet where they belong when the opportunity came.” His teammates echoed this sentiment, describing him as “the glue that held us together, especially in the crunch moments.”

Germany’s EuroBasket run

Germany entered the 2025 tournament in the third‑seeded Group C alongside Poland, Spain, and Switzerland. In a tight opening game against the hosts, they won 89‑83, thanks largely to Schroder’s 20 points and 5 assists. The German side’s disciplined defense and balanced scoring proved a tough match‑up for every opponent in the group.

The team advanced to the knockout stages with a 4‑1 record, then dispatched Italy in the quarterfinals 81‑76. In the semifinals against a resurgent France squad featuring Victor Wembanyama, Schroder turned back the clock with a 17‑point, 9‑assist double‑double that set the tone for a 70‑64 win.

The final, played on August 29th in Warsaw, pitted Germany against a France side that included players like Romain Naciss and the 6‑7‑8‑tall Wembanyama. The game was a chess match from the start, but it was Schroder who found the edge. After the first half, Germany trailed 32‑29. In the second quarter, Schroder hit a clutch 3‑pointer with 2:45 remaining to give the Germans a 42‑41 lead. He finished with 24 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals – a performance that earned him the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.

France’s star forward, Romain Naciss, had 18 points, but the German team’s collective effort, anchored by Schroder’s leadership, proved too much to handle. The 75‑71 finish earned Germany its second EuroBasket title and a place in history books that had, until this moment, only been reserved for Spain, France, and the former Soviet Union.

A triumph with cultural resonance

Schroder’s success in EuroBasket 2025 carries far‑reaching significance beyond the trophy. The win revives German pride in a sport that has struggled to maintain mainstream visibility in a football‑centric nation. The victory is seen as a milestone in the country’s ongoing effort to build a sustainable basketball culture – one that has, in recent years, produced a growing number of NBA‑level talents such as Kevin Love, Jordan Nwora, and, of course, Dennis Schroder.

The German Basketball Federation has already announced plans to expand youth programs and to host an annual international summer camp in Stuttgart, with Schroder slated to be a key ambassador. “We are proud to have Dennis as an example for our young players,” said federation president Jürgen Hübner. “His journey shows that hard work and commitment can bridge the gap between European roots and the global game.”

In an interview that followed the final, Schroder said, “I’ve always dreamed of giving something back to Germany, the place where I was born and where my love for the game began. Winning EuroBasket with this team means more than a trophy; it’s a statement that our generation can compete and succeed on the world stage.”

Going forward: the next chapter

With the EuroBasket title on his résumé, Schroder’s legacy will now extend to both the NBA and the international stage. The 2025 edition was the most competitive ever, with 16 teams and 48 games, and the German team’s performance has sparked conversations about whether this cohort of players – many of whom are under 30 – could make a deep run in the upcoming FIBA World Cup.

Schroder himself has hinted that he might retire from international play after the World Cup, yet he remains an integral part of the team’s tactical framework. “I have a responsibility to the squad,” he said. “The next few years will be about building on what we did in 2025 and preparing the next generation.”

The 2025 FIBA EuroBasket will always be remembered for the moment a former NBA point guard turned a German dream into reality – a triumph that blended the individual brilliance of Dennis Schroder with the collective ambition of a nation eager to celebrate its place among basketball’s elite.