'I Am Dark-Skinned': Dennis Schroder Claims Racism Behind Why He’ll Never Be Loved Like Dirk Nowitzki In Germany

“When I was 14, I sat in front of the TV watching Dirk Nowitzki carry the flag at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing,” Schroder said. “Back then, I thought, how cool, there’s no greater honor.”

Despite him being proud of the honor, he still thinks he can never measure up to the reception that Nowitzki has received from the Germans throughout the years.

“It’s a great honor, but for me it will never be the same as for Dirk. I will never receive the same love in this country, because I am dark-skinned.”

Dennis Schroder played for the New Yorker Phantoms in the local German league, the Bundesliga, for four seasons. He showed exemplary progress and improvement while playing for his country’s local league.

In 2013, Schroder made his way to the NBA when he was drafted as the 17th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks. Outside of the NBA, he has also represented Germany in international games since 2014.

During the 2024 season, Schroder averaged 13.1 points per game, 5.4 assists, and 2.6 rebounds.

Dennis Schroder Wins Game for Team Germany

Team Germany guard Dennis Schroder recently was in the spotlight as he finished a pre-EuroBasket tune-up game against Spain with 24 points and 10 assists, and sank the game-winning shot over Juancho Hernangomez.

Schroder’s international achievements go beyond his courageous performance on Sunday. At last summer’s Olympics, Schroder averaged 17 points and 7.5 assists, shooting 39 percent from three-point distance. He also scored 26 points and had nine assists in a warm-up win against France and Wembanyama.

The Sacramento Kings recently signed Dennis Schroder in part to address its chronic point-of-attack defensive woes exposed since De’Aaron Fox’s departure. While his off-ball shooting—61 percent from the right corner and 43 percent from the left—shows he can space the floor, the Kings envision him spending significant time as the primary ball-handler