MVP Šruder: Big time for us, we put Germany on the basketball map

The German national basketball team played an excellent European Championship, and Denis Schruder also had an excellent tournament.

Schrüder was the team's leader, leading the Germans to the title and ultimately being named EuroBasket MVP. He averaged 20,3 points, 3,4 rebounds and 7,2 assists.

Germany finished the tournament undefeated, and last night defeated Turkey 88:83 in the final.

"Unbelievable. Turkey played an incredible game, Segnun and the other players. However, we were not afraid of the big moment. We played with confidence, but not just me, but the whole team. Bonga shot incredible threes, great energy. Andreas Obst had some incredible shots, Daniel Theis as well. Great players and people with great character. I'm proud of the guys, we always stayed together both during the ups and the downs. This is a big time for us because we are world and European champions," Schrüder said after the match.

Schruder also recalled his collaboration with former coach Gordon Herbert.

"I remember when we were eliminated in the group stage of the 2019 World Basketball Championship. Those were tough times. Gordi made me captain and everyone in the locker room respected me. We won bronze in 2022 and gold in the Philippines. We came fourth at the Games and now we're continuing to win medals. It's an honor to represent Germany and I want to thank everyone. We put Germany on the map and made kids and young people start playing basketball, dream about the NBA and the title. This is a title for my family, my children and the woman who changed my life in 2016. Everyone was here and this is for them."

Comparisons with Dirk Nowitzki were inevitable.

"Dirk is the man who changed the legacy of the big guys. I'm Denis Schruder and everyone has their own legacy. What we've done in the NBA and for the national team is what shapes us."

He was also asked what Greek national team player Giannis Antetokounmpo said to him after the game.

"Yanis came and said it was an honor to represent the country. This is his first medal for Greece. His brothers and family are here and these are exactly the things I was talking about. He came after the game to congratulate me and I think this is a great achievement for Germany and Greece," Schröder said.

The journalists were also interested in how Schruder viewed the new format of the NBA All-Star Game, in which the Americans will play against the Europeans next year.

"I've never been part of an NBA All-Star Game, but I think we have three or five of the best players in the world. We have Janis, Jokić, Franc Vagner is in that company. We have so many European players who are top-notch in the NBA and this tournament showed that. It will be a great All-Star game between Europe and America at All-Star Weekend next year," concluded Schruder.