At EuroBasket 2025, we saw a really negative example of this with Dennis Schroder. Morris, the captain of the German national basketball team, was subjected to racial abuse as he led his side to a resounding win against Lithuania. The Inquiry Day took place on August 30th in Tampere, Finland. Germany saluted to a magnificent 107-88 victory, their third straight in the tournament.
Schroder was a member of the Sacramento Kings during last year’s NBA Summer League. He put forth a masterful exhibition, pouring in a game-high 26 points. Despite his magnificent performance being the subject of praise, it was marred by a horrifying experience that he faced while walking to the locker room. He was subjected to monkey sounds directed at him. This racial abuse was painful enough to leave him shaken.
In the aftermath of the incident, Schroder expressed his dismay, stating, “You can insult me but monkey noises are something I don’t respect or accept. Racism has no place in this sport.” His comments point to the deeper, systemic racism that exists within sports and the importance of creating a more welcoming space.
On Tuesday, Germany’s interim head coach Alan Ibrahimagic supported Schroder’s emotions and criticized the racist conduct. He remarked, “I noticed that Dennis was very upset — and rightly so.” Furthermore, Ibrahimagic emphasized the broader implications of such incidents, stating, “Such things have no place in sports or competition. We hope this will calm down and can be resolved somehow.”
That moment has sparked national conversations and protests demanding racial justice. This is particularly prevalent in global competitions such as the Olympics where athletes from various cultures and beliefs come together. Most importantly, it highlights the need to address this discriminatory behavior and foster a culture devoid of this hate.
Even with the untimely injury, Schroder’s leadership and performance has been instrumental for Germany’s run in this tournament. His ability to rally his team and maintain focus amid adversity will be crucial as they advance further into EuroBasket.
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