![Germany Dennis Schroder 2023 Fiba World Cup MVP](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2023/09/IMG_3612_FIBA-world-cup-championship-Germany-vs-Serbia_celebration-1-620x413.jpg)
German Dennis Schroder is the MVP of the Fiba World Cup 2023. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – Dennis Schroder challenged Germany to dream big at the 2023 Fiba World Cup. And the rest is history.
Schroder revealed that their stellar run started with a team meeting during the group stage in Okinawa, Japan, where coach Gordie Herbert asked his players about their ultimate goal.
“The trainer came. I think it was in Okinawa [when] we had a meeting. We were in four groups of four people and he asked everyone what do you want to achieve? Everyone said a medal,” said the German star.
When it was the NBA guard’s turn to answer, he said gold.
“The reason why I said it is because I knew our defense and how we play as a basketball team is special. Everyone touches it and everyone moves it,” Schroder said.
Schroder’s goal will have ramifications for German basketball as he and his team completed a perfect 8-0 campaign at the World Cup, highlighted by an 83-77 win over Serbia to take them to the Mall on Sunday of Asia Arena won their first ever title in the competition.
![Germany wins the Fiba World Cup after beating Serbia in the final](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2023/09/IMG_3644_FIBA-world-cup-championship-Germany-vs-Serbia_celebration-1-620x413.jpg)
Germany wins the Fiba World Cup after beating Serbia in the final. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“It’s unbelievable. An incredible group. We started in July and ended July together. The coach did a great job of bringing us together and knowing their roles. Everyone just did their best to be successful. I think 8-0 in the group where we had big teams we will go to the next stage, play against Slovenia and Georgia, and then go to the knockout stage [was great],” said Schröder.
“This is incredible. We enjoyed every moment, every day, every training, every match. We embraced it and competed at the highest level. That’s why we did what we did in this tournament,” he added .
Schroder emerged as the Fiba World Cup 2023 World Cup MVP and member of the All-Star Five after scoring 28 points to lead the Germans to a historic night.
With their historic night, the Toronto Raptors guard hopes their success will forever change the landscape of German basketball and earn the respect of the world.
“When we started the tournament, I couldn’t get on TV because only the final was on German TV. Basketball is such a great sport. I wish we would get our respect,” Schroder said. “At the European Championships, or next year at the Olympic Games in Paris, I would like every match to be on TV.
We see the steps. Ten years ago, when I first started, basketball wasn’t… sure we had Dirk Nowitzki, but other than that people didn’t know who was on the teams.”
“But now we go to the Philippines or Okinawa and everyone knows our team. Also in Germany people are starting to realize what we have worked for and represented our country. We also just want our respect,” he added.
WATCH: Germany interrupts #FIBAWC MVP Dennis Schroder during post-match press conference. | via Lance AgcaoiliREAD: inq.news/Duitsland-wins-FIBAWC
Posted by Inquirer Sports on Sunday, September 10, 2023
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