It's almost like the Atlanta Hawks needed a guy like Dennis Schroder. An agitator that likes to get under opponents’ skin.
“That's how I was in Germany,” Schroder said. “I'm just a competitor.”
Schroder's scrappy persona started on the other side of the world in central Germany where the point guard was born.
It is a place where soccer is king and basketball isn't necessarily the first option. It certaintly wasn’t for Schroder who was interested in several sports.
As Schroder learned the game of basketball, his father loved to watch him. His father was Schroder’s best friend and biggest fan.
But at 16, Schroder's father passed away.
PHOTOS | Atlanta Hawks point guard Dennis Schroder
“It changed a lot of things,” Schroder said. “Before, I did a lot of things. I played soccer, skateboard. But after my dad passed, I was straight to basketball.”
It was a promise between a father and son.
Schroder’s father wanted him to play for the NBA, and Schroder was committed to that dream.
After playing in a Nike summit in Portland, Mike Budenholzer and the Hawks discovered the young German point guard with edge and drafted him in 2013.
The list of German players to make an impact in the NBA is short.
One of the most notables is Dirk Nowitzki, a player Schroder followed closely.
“He had an amazing career, and I just tried to be like one of them to come from Germany and have a great career.”
Schroder and Nowitzky together are trying to lead Team Germany to the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro this summer. Qualifying occurs at the FIBA World Tournament held July 4-10.
Just three years after being drafted, Schroder has become a spark plug off the bench for the Hawks.
But for him, it's all about playing for a purpose, playing for a family and playing in honor of his best friend.
Schroder cannot help but think his dad would be proud of his accomplishments.
“I’m praying I’m always with him, and he’s always in my heart.”
