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Dennis Schroder Shares Touching Story About Warriors Jersey Number

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Mariano | Last updated Dec 18, 2024 11:28 AM ET

Golden State Warriors guard Dennis Schroder needs to buy a bigger cabinet with all the jerseys he has acquired in his journeyman career.

The Warriors will be his eighth team in 12 seasons after the trade with the Brooklyn Nets was finalized.

Aside from learning the system, among the urgent agendas for Schroder is his jersey number with Golden State. He's worn No. 17 for almost his entire career. That, however, isn't possible with his new squad since it was retired by Warriors legend Chris Mullin.

Schroder understood and decided to switch the digits and wear No. 71 instead. It's similar to what he did during his stint with the Boston Celtics, who retired John Havlicek's No. 17.

The 31-year-old Schroder said the number has a special meaning because of his father, who passed away in 2009 due to heart failure.

“I got to stay true to them,” said the spitfire guard in a report from NBC Sports Bay Area's Tristi Rodriguez. “That was my dad's favorite number. Seventeen is emotional for me. To wear it every single night (is special).

"I was the 17th pick also, so yeah, I just got to stick with it.”

Schroder was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2013 and played there until 2018. Since then, he has suited up for the Nets, Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors.

He added that his father was his biggest supporter growing up. He shared the advice his father gave him before the latter's death.

“He always said, ‘This is what you can do for a living, you can help your whole family with it, carry the load for your family, making sure everybody's good,’" said Schroder.

"He passed away after that conversation—six days later—and then everything switched for me."

Schroder could make his debut for the Warriors against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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