German basketball sensation Dennis Schröder encountered racial abuse from spectators during his team`s dominant 107-88 triumph over Lithuania on Saturday in Tampere, Finland. Following the incident, the German Basketball Association confirmed that two individuals responsible were identified and removed from the venue. Additionally, FIBA`s video review led to the identification and subsequent ban of another fan from all forthcoming 2025 EuroBasket matches.
Schröder, also a player for the NBA`s Sacramento Kings, later disclosed to the press that while he was heading to the locker room at halftime, he was met with abhorrent monkey noises from sections of the crowd.
“Making monkey noises is something I do not tolerate,” Schröder stated in German, emphasizing, “Regardless of one`s status, general insults are part of the game. However, racism has no place whatsoever in this sport. This is completely unacceptable.”
In response, FIBA issued a strong condemnation of the deplorable actions, announcing their intention to discuss the matter with the Lithuanian Basketball Federation. The international governing body affirmed, “FIBA unequivocally condemns any form of hate speech, discriminatory behavior, or racist language. Our sport`s paramount objective remains fostering an inclusive, respectful, and secure atmosphere for all players, teams, and fans. We have shared pertinent video evidence and information with local law enforcement, who are actively pursuing an investigation into the incident.”
Despite the unsettling experience, Schröder delivered an outstanding performance, topping all scorers with 26 points, alongside six assists and three rebounds, steering Germany to victory. This crucial win secured the German national team`s spot in the EuroBasket knockout rounds, maintaining an impeccable 3-0 record in the group stage. Germany still has two more group stage matches ahead, facing undefeated Finland and Great Britain, who are yet to win, before advancing to the knockout phase.
The 31-year-old guard has a notable career, having competed for ten distinct NBA franchises since his professional debut in 2013. Beyond his playing career, Schröder is also the sole proprietor of his hometown team, Basketball Löwen Braunschweig in Germany`s Basketball Bundesliga, a role he has held since becoming the majority shareholder in 2018.
