From no NBA contract to World Cup MVP, the impressive Dennis Schröder story

One year ago, the now-former Lakers point guard didn't have an NBA contract, he was close to having to choose to play in another league.  In September ’22, he went into EuroBasket and took down Giannis and Greece in the quarterfinals. After leading Germany to a 3rd place finish, Schroder signed a 1-year, $2.6 million deal with the Lakers.

Schröder returned to the Lakers for a second stint one year after leaving Los Angeles after supposedly rejecting an 80 million offer. Dennis accepted the vet minimum in the 2022 offseason, It wasn't much, but it was an opportunity.

Dennis was able to use his opportunity and became one of the preferred players for coach Ham, as he played his role to perfection and helped the purple and gold to reach the WCF. Schröder was set to be re-signed by the Lakers, but the Toronto Raptors made him a great offer, This past July, he signed a 2-year, $26 million deal, earning a bigger role and payday on a new team outside LA.

The Lakers signed PG Gabe Vincent as Dennis signed his new deal, and now he just played for Team Germany in the FIBA World Cup, led them to win the tournament, and: Averaged 19.1 PPG and 6.1 APG. Had an upset win over the US in the semifinal, scored 28 to beat Serbia in the gold medal game, and was named to the All-Tournament Team. To put the cherry on top, Dennis won the World Cup MVP.

Dennis Schröder has become an example of believing in yourself and thriving to make it

To think a year ago today, he didn’t even have an NBA contract. Coming off an injury, no one even wanted to take a chance on him. Today, he’s a World Cup champion, tournament MVP, and about to head into the ’23-24 season as the Raptors’ starting PG. Believe in yourself, keep grinding, and the good things will come. Dennis Schroder is living proof of that.