Dennis Schroder has always had a flair for the biggest stages, whether in the NBA playoffs or the Olympics. On Sunday night, he once again proved why the spotlight never rattles him.
With Germany and Türkiye locked in a tense EuroBasket final, it was Schroder who delivered when it mattered most. Scoring the final six points of the contest, the Sacramento Kings guard sealed the victory for his country. His stat line told the story: 16 points, 12 assists, and the honor of being named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
“We never back down from big moments. Everyone on this team believes in each other,” Schroder told reporters afterward. “Tonight it was all about character and trust.”
That belief extended beyond his words. Just days earlier, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps remarked that a EuroBasket triumph could cement Schroder’s case for eventual enshrinement in the Hall of Fame as an international star. “If Germany wins, the résumé speaks for itself,” Bontemps noted. “He has put together one of the most impressive international careers of this era.”
Germany’s triumph, however, was not a one-man show. Franz Wagner, the Orlando Magic forward, added 18 points and eight rebounds. Tristan Da Silva chipped in 13, while Isaac Bonga led the team with 20. Together, the reigning World Cup champions showed that their depth remains their greatest strength, adding another trophy to their growing collection after a fourth-place finish in Paris.
Türkiye made the Germans earn every basket. Alperen Sengun, the Houston Rockets’ young center, capped off his breakout tournament with a commanding 28-point performance, keeping the final close until the very end.
Earlier in the day, Giannis Antetokounmpo powered Greece to the bronze medal, overwhelming Finland with 30 points and 17 rebounds.
The All-EuroBasket first team was a testament to the competition’s star power: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Alperen Sengun, Dennis Schroder, Franz Wagner, and Luka Doncic. A lineup that shows just how global the game has become.
