Brooklyn Nets star Dennis Schroder recently made headlines at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics by becoming the first Black person to carry the German flag during the opening ceremony. The 30-year-old, who was born to a Gambian mother, has not only made history with this symbolic gesture but has also led the German national basketball team to new heights, including their first FIBA World Cup victory last year.
In an interview with *Andscape*, Schroder opened up about the challenges he faced growing up as a Black person in Germany. “Growing up in Germany was tough, man,” Schroder said, reflecting on his experiences as a child. “It’s wrong, but I just went with it. In kindergarten people asked, ‘Why is your skin Black? ‘Why are you dirty?’ and all those little tough moments.” These early encounters with racism left a mark on him, but he found solace and acceptance through basketball, a sport he began playing at the age of 12.
As he excelled in basketball, Schroder noticed a shift in how he was perceived. “When I started playing basketball at 12, I went to a basketball school, and people started respecting and accepting me as a Black person because I did something for Germany and for my hometown,” he shared. Despite the hardships, Schroder’s journey to becoming a prominent figure in German sports has been deeply fulfilling. “Remembering all those tough moments, it makes it even sweeter to carry the flag and show everybody it’s possible to do something,” he said with pride.
Schroder also recalled the skepticism he faced when he first voiced his ambition to play in the NBA. “I remember when I was little people told me it’s not possible to do that,” he said. “My dreams were the NBA, and I said it, and people were laughing. And it’s for sure possible if you put a lot of hard work and passion into it.” However, he emphasized that success isn’t solely about effort. “You got to have a lot of luck,” Schroder added, acknowledging the role of fortune in his journey. “You got to have a family who supports you. My family was there since day one, every single game, never missed a game.”
The path to his NBA career wasn’t without its pivotal moments. Schroder recalled the critical decision he faced in 2013 when he was invited to the Nike Hoop Summit, a major event for aspiring NBA players. “There was a 50-50 chance that I was going to play in the Hoop Summit because my team [Basketball Löwen Braunschweig] was playing to stay in the first division and not going down in the league,” he explained. “And I was thinking about not going, but going to that Hoop Summit changed my life.” Schroder’s experience underscores the importance of seizing opportunities and having the right connections to achieve one’s goals.
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When asked what advice he would give to Black German kids facing racism, Schroder offered words of encouragement. “Everything I went through, of course, it makes me so mentally tough,” he said. “I would probably tell him that it don’t matter what anybody says, it don’t matter if it’s the teacher, it don’t matter if it’s your coach, you got to see the vision. You got to, of course, stay humble, listen to your family. But at the end of the day, you just got to focus on what you want to accomplish because you can accomplish whatever you want.”
Despite the challenges and setbacks, Schroder remains optimistic about his future and the future of others who look up to him. Although Germany’s hopes for Olympic gold were dashed after a narrow loss to France in the basketball semifinal, Schroder and his team remain in the hunt for a bronze medal as they prepare to face Serbia in the third-place match.
Schroder’s journey, marked by resilience and determination, serves as a powerful example of overcoming adversity and achieving greatness, both on and off the court. His story is a testament to the importance of perseverance, support, and a little bit of luck in realizing one’s dreams.
