Toronto Raptors fans were likely watching the Canadian national team’s matchup against Germany before the FIBA World Cup with great interest. Beyond the obvious reasons to cheer for Team Canada, the German side featured new Raptors point guard Dennis Schroder.
After Schroder played a part in helping Germany dominate against Sweden, he and Orlando Magic star Franz Wagner took matters into their own hands late. Schroder and Wagner helped turn a 79-79 tie into an 86-81 victory for Germany in one of their tune-up games.
Schroder finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists in the game, showing off his ability to impact the game in so many different ways. Even on a roster that is full of NBA players, Schroder is standing out as arguably the best player in that group right now.
Schroder’s performance for Germany might go a long way toward helping him ingratiate himself with the Raptors’ fanbase. If he helps Germany pull off some upsets in the tournament, the momentum he would come into the season with will set the stage for a tremendous season.
Germany draws up an ATO that leads to Dennis Schröder finding Franz Wagner for a catch and shoot triple to lift Germany back up by three against Team Canada in their second Pre-FIBA World Cup exhibition game. pic.twitter.com/1C6iiim93k
— Fawzan Amer (@FawzanAmer_) August 9, 2023
More Raptors news
- Before this game, Schroder made it known that he had not been fully healthy this offseason. He has been nursing an Achilles injury and will not be 100% in the near future. Hopefully, this issue can calm down as time goes on, and he can join the Raptors fully prepared to do some damage.
- Former Raptors wing Joe Wieskamp, who was released after a somewhat disappointing stint in Summer League competition, has agreed to a training camp deal with the Dallas Mavericks. With how thin the back end of the Dallas bench has become due to their stars taking up so much cap space, Wieskamp making the final roster would surprise absolutely no one.
"Free agent forwards Greg Brown III and Joe Wieskamp have agreed to training camp deals with the Dallas Mavericks, league sources tell The Athletic"
— Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) August 8, 2023
Mavs add 2 wings to their training camp roster https://t.co/kYF3Zh0G4Q
NBA news
- The New York Knicks agreed to a four-year, $81 million contract extension with Josh Hart. While he has only averaged 9.8 points per game for his career and is going to be paid a very high rate well into his 30s, the Knicks seem to value what he brings to the table as a rebounder and defender.
- Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic clocked in as the best player in the league in NBA 2K24’s rankings. Jokic was listed at 98 overall, while Giannis Antetokounmpo was right behind him at 96 overall. LeBron James, Steph Curry, Joel Embiid, and Kevin Durant were also 96, with Luka Doncic clocking in at 95.