National basketball team: Team on four shoulders: Schröder and Wagner wear selection

The big German basketball test in your own country is increasingly becoming a case for two. A huge part of the responsibility rests on veteran and captain Dennis Schröder this summer, after more and more NBA professionals dropped out or dropped out in the course of the preparation.

And the big X-factor could be young NBA star Franz Wagner, who already shines with speed, elegance and versatility for the national team, which is sovereign in the World Cup qualification.

Already on Sunday (3:00 p.m./Magentasport) there is the greatest possible test for the duo: European champion Slovenia and NBA star Luka Doncic come to Munich for the World Cup qualification, it is the last endurance test before the European Championship from September 1st.

Franz Wagner celebrates his 21st birthday

“Hats off to how experienced Franz is in certain situations. Sometimes we could put him in a better position. He’s an important key player right from the start,” said Armin Andres, Vice President of the German Basketball Federation, about the Orlando Magic winger. who just turned 21 this Saturday. In the lackluster 67:50 victory in Sweden, Wagner was the best thrower and the most conspicuous player with 16 points. He seems to be able to easily confirm his impressive debut year in the NBA.

Dirk Nowitzki, who has been a top performer and superstar of the national team for many years, is also enthusiastic about Wagner. “I was pleasantly surprised at how ripped off he is, how athletic he can keep up, how talented he is. He can do a little bit with the ball. There’s no hole in his game,” said 44-year-old Nowitzki to the German press -Agency. As Wagner is on it, “he is a beacon of hope for Germany”.

At least as important is Schröder, who is the new captain after Robin Benzing has been sorted out and who makes the important decisions as a point guard. The 28-year-old, who is currently without a club, injured his ankle at the weekend but quickly returned to the team.

Andres: “Dennis will improve tremendously”

“Dennis was still a bit cautious and reserved, the explosiveness was still missing. We were glad that he was still there. Team chemistry is important. Dennis will improve tremendously,” announced official Andres. In the best case, Schröder should throw fewer threes and attack the basket with his explosiveness. The next chance to do so is already on Sunday, when the World Cup ticket for Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines in 2023 can almost be bought in the World Cup qualifier against Slovenia and Doncic.

In contrast to the weaker Swedes, this will be the level at which national coach Gordon Herbert’s team will have to survive for the next three weeks. In the preliminary round of the European Championship three top nations are waiting in Slovenia, opening opponents France and Lithuania. An early EM-Aus, as Nowitzki, Schröder and Co. underwent seven years ago in Berlin, should be prevented at all costs.

In addition to the powerful offensive, which weighs heavily on the four shoulders of Schröder and Wagner, a stable defense is also necessary. Herbert said in Stockholm he was “proud” of his players and their defensive behavior. Nevertheless, the head coach would like to have an addition in the person of Daniel Theis, who is struggling with knee problems. Theis (Indiana Pacers) will be absent on Sunday and will not return to team training until Monday at the earliest. On Thursday, the start of the European Championship against France will take place in Cologne.