German World Cup captain Dennis Schröder has shown great relief that national basketball coach Gordon Herbert did not leave the national team a month after the World Cup triumph in Manila.
“This is very important for us. He has created this special identity for the last two years. He has brought us together,” said the 30-year-old Schröder.
Offer from France
The 64-year-old Herbert was linked to the French Euroleague club Asvel Lyon-Villeurbanne about two weeks ago. “The DBB did not support the idea. I accept that. I would never do it without the approval and support of the association,” the Canadian Herbert told the “Kicker”.
Franz Wagner from the Orlando Magic, the second most important player in the national team after Schröder, would have granted Herbert the additional commitment. “Actually, I see it this way: Gordie, like us as players, should benefit from the success in his individual career,” said Wagner in Los Angeles. “My attitude is that he should be happy to take on another job and benefit financially from the good work he has done, as every player can do.”
“Extremely important for us”
Schröder, who has been playing in the North American professional league NBA for the Toronto Raptors from Canada since this season, once again emphasized Herbert’s achievements. “In the last two years we have won European Championship bronze and World Cup gold. It is extremely important for us as an association that he stays with us.” Herbert is one of Schröder’s biggest supporters and made the development player his captain in the summer of 2022. Wagner also praised Herbert’s work. “He’s doing a great job and I’ve learned a lot in the last two years.”
