Schröder reveals ’emotional’ reason he’ll wear No. 71 with Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Before Dennis Schröder was a 12-year NBA veteran and international inspiration, he was a A 16-year-old boy lost and uncertain where his life would take him.
It was 2009. Like almost all teenagers, he turned to his father, Axel, who, like him, wanted his son to pursue a career in basketball.
The young Schröder however had other interests, growing up in Braunschweig, Germany, such as skateboarding and football. It wasn’t until later that he became really interested in basketball.
But a conversation with his father changed everything.
Axel played professional basketball in Gambia, where he met his wife and Dennis’s mother, Fatou Schröder. But Axel wanted – and knew – that his son could take his game to the next level in the greatest basketball league in the world.
“I mean, he was more of a partisan,” Schröder said of his father during his introductory press conference Tuesday after being traded to the Warriors. “He didn’t really, really play. But he was my biggest supporter every time I practiced, played a game, he would come and we would always talk about basketball.
“He always said, ‘This is what you can do in life.’ You can help your whole family, carry the burden of your family, and make sure everyone is okay. And he was right. He died after that conversation – six days later – and then everything changed for me.
“The goal was to play in the NBA, and I still do. This is my 12th season now, and (I’m) beyond grateful to be here and not take it for granted every day, every game, I’m going to go out and treat it like it’s my last. So it’s great to do this for him.
After his father passed away, Schröder wasted no time in following his late father’s advice.
He began playing professional basketball in 2010 for SG Braunschweig, where he averaged 7.8 points, 2.1 assists and 1.6 rebounds per game during his first year. The following season, he flourished, averaging 17.8 points and 6.7 assists in 23 games.
His team made it to the playoffs, where he averaged 18.8 points and 5.1 assists in four games.
After another strong season the following year, he was named the Basketball Bundesliga’s Most Improved Player as well as the league’s best young German player. He then declared for the 2013 NBA Draft.
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On June 27, 2013, Schröder was selected by the Atlanta Hawks 17th overall.
Being the 17th overall pick was special to him for reasons beyond the obvious. This number had a sentimental meaning for him; It also happened to be his father’s favorite number.
So, of course, Schröder had to wear the number 17 on his jersey in his NBA debut with the Hawks — and, with the exception of one organization, every destination thereafter.
With the Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets, he’s worn that one and that seven on his chest.
During his short tenure with the Boston Celtics, he was unable to wear number 17 because it was retired in honor of the late, great John Havlicek. Schröder improvised and chose No. 71 instead.
In his new home with the Warriorshe is in a similar situation.
No. 17, of course, is retired by Hall of Fame legend Chris Mullin. Schröder understands and simply agrees to exchange the numbers. The last Warriors player to wear number 71 was McCoy McLemore in 1965.
Although 17 and 71 are 54 digits apart, they are one in Schröder’s eyes.
“Yes, I have to stay loyal to them,” Schröder said. “It was my father’s favorite number. Seventeen years is emotional for me. To wear every evening. I was also the 17th pick, so yeah, I just have to stick with it.
Even though Axel didn’t get to see who his son grew up to be and continues to be as a man, husband, father and teammate, there is no doubt that Axel’s impact fueled his ambition to become a basketball icon on the world stage.
And that conversation he had with his father at the age of 16 will be one he’ll never forget at the age of 31 and beyond, as he continues to kiss and honor his father’s legacy.
