Dennis Schroder gets ultimate compliment from coach after Germany World Cup win

Toronto Raptors point guard Dennis Schroder had already established himself as one of the greatest German basketball players in history, but his showing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup helped him reach an elite plateau that only a handful names like Nowitzki and Kevin Durant have reached.

Schroder not only helped Germany take home the gold medal in the World Cup, but he won MVP of the competition. Schroder’s 19.1 points and 6.1 assists per game made him a no-brainer pick for this award, as Germany’s perfect 8-0 record would not have come to fruition without him.

Schroder’s award has helped him join a World Cup Club populated by names like Dirk, Kyrie Irving, and Pau Gasol. Getting looked at in the same light as Nowitzki is an honor for a German-born player, and the Raptors guard was showered with that level of praise after the victory.

“With complete respect to Dirk, he was then, Dennis is now,” coach Gordon Herbert said. “He deserves respect for what he has done and where he has taken this team.” There is no bigger honor for a German player than to get the Nowitzki comparison in any context.

Toronto Raptors’ Dennis Schroder compared to Dirk Nowitzki by coach

It will be a few decades before a player who even approaches Nowitzki comes out of the ranks of the German developmental system. Arguably the best European player in league history, Nowitzki was just as dominant when he put on his national team’s jersey.

Schroder may not be at Nowitzki’s level, but the Raptors guard was able to play like him in brief stretches during this tournament. Schroder’s performance, despite the fact he had to deal with injuries to some of his best players, made him an easy choice for the MVP of the competition.

The Raptors will likely ask Schroder to play a role not too dissimilar to what he played with Germany (at least when he is playing with their bench units). Even at his advanced age, his scoring ability and finishing close to the basket have not eroded one bit.

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The Raptors likely have big plans for Schroder this season, as he is coming into the season with as much momentum as one could possibly accrue. The Raptors’ bench was lackluster, but getting the spiritual successor to Dirk on the bench might help change things.

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