Germany entered the FIBA record books after bagging their first FIBA World Cup title over a gritty Serbia quintet, 83-77, on Sunday, September 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.
Dennis Schroder, named the tournament MVP, led the way for the gold medal-winning Germans with 28 points. This is Germany's second World Cup medal after winning the bronze in 2002, FIBA.com reported.
It did not take long for a member of that 2002 bronze medal-winning team to react to Germany's historic feat. Dirk Nowitzki was unsurprisingly elated at the achievement, hailing the team on social media.
Weltmeister!!! Unfassbar!
🥇 Was für ein Team!!!!!— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) September 10, 2023
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The 2007 NBA MVP was part of the 2002 FIBA World Cup bronze medal-winning team. Schroder showed his respect to his fellow German, admitting how Nowitzki changed the game of basketball, Eurohoops reported.
"Of course, Dirk Nowitzki is one of the best power forwards ever, he changed the game of basketball, an NBA champion, cool guy outside the court, It was great to play with him in 2015. But we couldn't have done it without being a team. So kudos to everyone," said the 29-year-old guard who will play for the Toronto Raptors this coming NBA season.
Schroder hopes German basketball gets recognition
Now, Dennis Schroder hopes that this FIBA Basketball World Cup conquest can help German basketball get the necessary attention and exposure. That all starts with respect when it comes to televising games.
"We first thought the tournament was going to be on the TV. Only the final was on the TV. Basketball is a great sport and I hope we can get our respect for what we are doing the last two years. I wish that every single game is on TV," the 17th overall pick of the 2013 NBA draft quipped.
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