Germany lifted the Eurobasket 2025 trophy on Sunday after beating Türkiye 88-83 in the final.
Orlando Magic Star Franz Wagner (18 points) and former Los Angeles Laker Isaac Bonga (20 points) were excellent, but another player won the Most Valued Player Award.
Sacramento Kings Point Guard Dennis Schroeder earned praise for his 20.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game in the tournament.
Schroeder paid tribute to German and Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowicki shortly after being awarded the MVP title.
Schroder was asked how his contribution to the German national team compared to Nowitzki’s after winning the Eurobasket 2025.
Nowitzki never won international competition in his playing career, but won MVP awards at both the Eurobasket and the World Cup.
Schroeder was eager to not compare himself to the former Maverick forward, so instead praised the impact he had on German basketball.
“Dark is the guy who changed basketball for all the big names,” Schroeder said via Basketnawards. “So, at the end of the day, I was Dennis Schroeder and everyone got their legacy.”
“Dark, what he’s doing for the German national team, and what he’s done with the NBA and national team, made us come to the national team and represent our country.”
He continued: “At the end of the day, my name is Dennis Schroeder, and I am just Dennis Schroeder, and that is my legacy.”
“Whatever you can bring to the table to make sure your teammates are excellent, we compete at the highest level and win gold medals. That’s what I’m trying to do. Everything else doesn’t matter.”
German Schroeder’s performance at Eurobasket was even more impressive than people noticed.
Serbia was tilted to win the tournament, and many other countries were considered candidates, but Schroeder always had full trust in Germany to unlock the trophy.
“We’re going to win the title,” he said before the tournament. “If I’m not sure about that, I would rather not play the tournament and spend my time at Braunschweig.”
It was a bold statement, but Schroeder now looks like a genius after his predictions came true in the final against Turkey on Sunday.