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31 August, 2017
17 September
17 Dennis SCHRÖDER (Germany)
30/05/2017
News
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Schroder commits to Germany for FIBA EuroBasket 2017

BRAUNSCHWEIG (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Dennis Schroder wants to improve his leadership for Germany this summer, committing to playing at FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

"If I am healthy I will be available for the national team," Schroder told a press conference in his hometown of Braunschweig. "We have a young team with which we can achieve a lot and not like last time be eliminated in the group stage."

I play every summer to get that German feeling again, it is about time to hear the German national anthem SchroderSchroder

Schroder played his first major international tournament in 2015 when Germany were hosts in the Group Phase of FIBA EuroBasket 2015. The Atlanta Hawks point guard averaged 21 points, 6 assists and 4.6 rebounds but Germany did not reach the knockout phase of the tournament.

Schroder faced criticism in Germany after his performance and perceived questionable attitude and lack of leadership at FIBA EuroBasket 2015 in Berlin. Now, after his first season as starting point guard in Atlanta, the 23-year-old is ready to take on more leadership this summer.

"I have to work on my leadership qualities, that's why I also play for the national team," Schroder said. "We have a lot of young players who gained experience at the EuroBasket two years ago. I would like to lead the team."

Germany this summer have been drawn into Group B along with hosts Israel, Georgia, Italy, Lithuania and Ukraine in Tel Aviv. The Germans qualified for the tournament despite their star playmaker not playing. But he is ready to pull on the Germany jersey and hear the national anthem.

"I play every summer to get that German feeling again, it is about time to hear the German national anthem," said the 23-year-old.

Schroder has attended a number of German league playoff games since being eliminated from the NBA playoffs. After taking some time to shut down, Schroder has the rest of his summer planned.

"I am flying back to Atlanta on 5 June to practice. After that I will fly with my family to Gambia and when I am back in Braunschweig I will continue to fine tune my game," Schroder said.

FIBA