Dennis Schröder Bio
Dennis Malik Schröder, born on 15 September 1993 in Braunschweig, Germany, is a German professional basketball player who currently plays for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 185 pounds, Schröder has built a reputation as a quick, crafty point guard with international accolades. He is the sole owner of his German hometown team, Basketball Löwen Braunschweig of the Basketball Bundesliga, having served as the majority shareholder of the club since 2018.
Schröder began his professional career in his native Germany before being selected 17th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2013 NBA Draft. Over more than a decade in the league, he has suited up for several franchises, establishing himself as a steady playmaker and one of Germany’s most recognizable basketball exports.
Early Life and Background
Dennis Malik Schröder was born on 15 September 1993 in Braunschweig, Germany. He is the son of a German father and a Gambian mother and grew up alongside his brother Talha and a younger sister named Farida. As a child, Schröder was deeply involved in skateboarding, and he and his brother spent much of their early years on a board. Everything changed when he discovered basketball at the age of 11, a sport that quickly became his new obsession.
The young Schröder’s life took a difficult turn in 2009 when his father passed away. Following this loss, he chose to dedicate himself fully to basketball, channeling his energy into the game as a way to honor his father’s memory. He adopted the jersey number 17 in tribute to his father, a number that became his signature on courts across Europe and the United States.
Path to Professional Basketball
Schröder’s journey toward professional basketball began in his hometown with SG Braunschweig, the farm team of Phantoms Braunschweig. In his first professional season in 2010, he played in a second-tier German league, averaging 7.8 points, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 rebounds per game, showing flashes of the talent that would soon attract international attention.
His breakthrough came during the 2011–12 season, when he elevated his averages to 17.8 points and 6.7 assists over 23 regular-season games, helping his team reach the playoffs. The following season, Schröder played 32 games for Phantoms Braunschweig, posting averages of 12 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in about 25 minutes per contest. His strong play earned him recognition as the League’s Most Improved Player and Best Young German Player, cementing his status as one of Europe’s brightest young guards. Former German national team player Ademola Okulaja served as his agent during this formative period.
Dennis Schröder Career
Early Career and Atlanta Hawks (2013–2018)
On 27 June 2013, Dennis Malik Schröder was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 17th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. He signed with the team on 11 July 2013 and joined a roster featuring starting point guard Jeff Teague. His rookie minutes were limited by turnovers, and he spent time with the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League in December 2013 to refine his game. Schröder finished his debut season with averages of 3.7 points in 13.1 minutes per game across 49 appearances.
The 2014–15 season marked a turning point, as Schröder increased his averages to 10.0 points and 4.1 assists in 19.7 minutes per game, earning praise as a promising young guard. He continued developing in 2015–16, posting 11.0 points and 4.4 assists per game while learning behind Teague. On 26 October 2016, Schröder signed a four-year, $70 million contract extension with the Hawks, taking over the starting point guard role after Teague was traded to the Indiana Pacers. He set several career highs during this stretch, including 33 points against the Milwaukee Bucks in December 2016 and 41 points against the Utah Jazz in March 2018.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2018–2020)
On 25 July 2018, Schröder was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a three-team deal involving the Hawks and the Philadelphia 76ers. In his first season with the Thunder, he served as the primary backup to superstar Russell Westbrook, making an immediate impact with 21 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in his debut against the Golden State Warriors. He scored 28 points in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in November 2018 and posted a season-high 32 points off the bench in a victory over the Warriors later that month.
During the 2019–20 season, Schröder continued in a sixth-man role behind Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He led the league in scoring off the bench with 18.9 points per game while shooting a career-high 46.9 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point range. His strong season made him the runner-up to Montrezl Harrell in voting for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Los Angeles Lakers (2020–2021)
On 18 November 2020, Schröder was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Danny Green and the draft rights to Jaden McDaniels. He made his Lakers debut on 22 December 2020, recording 14 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Starting 61 games during the regular season, he averaged 15.4 points and 5.8 assists per game while shooting 43.7 percent from the field.
Schröder’s playoff numbers dipped to 14.3 points and 2.8 assists per game, and the Lakers were eliminated in six games by the Phoenix Suns. During the offseason, the Lakers acquired Russell Westbrook, signaling the end of Schröder’s tenure with the team. He was also sidelined twice during the season due to COVID-19 health protocols, including a stretch of seven missed games late in the year.
Boston Celtics (2021–2022)
On 13 August 2021, Dennis Malik Schröder signed with the Boston Celtics on a one-year, $5.9 million taxpayer mid-level exception contract. The Celtics, who had traded Kemba Walker earlier in the offseason, sought backcourt depth and viewed Schröder as a cost-effective addition. He chose to wear number 71 with Boston, as his usual number 17 had been retired in honor of John Havlicek, making him just the fourth known player in NBA history to wear that number.
Houston Rockets and Return to the Lakers (2022–2023)
On 10 February 2022, Schröder was traded, along with Enes Freedom and Bruno Fernando, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Daniel Theis. A shoulder injury in March 2022 ended his season prematurely. On 16 September 2022, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Schröder to a one-year, $2.64 million deal, marking his return to the franchise. He delivered standout moments, including 32 points in a win over the Miami Heat on 4 January 2023 and a game-winning layup against the Memphis Grizzlies on 20 January 2023. His clutch play helped the Lakers secure the seventh seed in the Western Conference through the play-in tournament.
Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, and Golden State Warriors (2023–2025)
On 30 June 2023, Schröder signed a two-year, $26 million contract with the Toronto Raptors, marking his sixth team as he entered his tenth NBA season. On 13 December 2023, he reached 10,000 career points in a win over the Atlanta Hawks. On 8 February 2024, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, recording 15 points and 12 assists in his debut against the San Antonio Spurs. On 15 December 2024, Schröder was traded to the Golden State Warriors.
Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings (2025–Present)
On 6 February 2025, Schröder was traded to the Detroit Pistons as part of a five-team deal that sent Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors. On 21 April 2025, he recorded 20 points and three assists in a first-round playoff win over the New York Knicks. On 7 July 2025, Schröder was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons, joining his tenth team in twelve NBA seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Schröder’s career, his leadership of Germany to its first FIBA Basketball World Cup title in 2023 stands at the top. He was named the FIBA World Cup MVP after averaging 17.9 points and 6.7 assists per game during the tournament. He also captained Germany to a bronze medal at EuroBasket 2022, earning EuroBasket All-Tournament Team honors, and was named the FIBA EuroBasket MVP in 2025. In 2024, he served as Germany’s flag bearer at the Paris Summer Olympics alongside judoka Anna-Maria Wagner.
Dennis Schröder Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Dennis Malik Schröder was raised in Braunschweig, Germany, by a German father and a Gambian mother. He shares a close bond with his brother Talha and younger sister Farida. The passing of his father in 2009 was a defining moment in his life, inspiring him to pursue basketball seriously and adopt the jersey number 17 as a tribute.
Personal Life
Schröder is married and has three children. He is a devout Muslim, praying before games and before sleep, and he is a teetotaler who has never consumed alcohol. Early in his NBA career, he became known for his signature patch of bleached blonde hair, a style suggested by his mother to help him stand out in public. In May 2021, he revealed that he was the only Lakers player who had not been vaccinated against COVID-19.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was another eventful chapter in Schröder’s journeyman career. He began the year with the Golden State Warriors before being traded to the Detroit Pistons on 6 February 2025 as part of a five-team deal that sent Jimmy Butler to Golden State. With Detroit, Schröder provided veteran scoring and playmaking off the bench, helping the team push into the postseason.
During the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Schröder recorded 20 points and three assists in a 100–94 Game 2 victory over the New York Knicks on 21 April 2025, contributing to one of the early highlights of Detroit’s playoff run. Following the season, on 7 July 2025, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade deal, beginning yet another chapter in his travels around the league.
Looking ahead, Schröder is expected to bring his trademark speed, playmaking, and international experience to the Sacramento backcourt. With the Kings seeking a steady veteran presence to support their young core, his role in 2025 figures to center on facilitating the offense, providing leadership in the locker room, and continuing to represent Germany on the global stage following his EuroBasket 2025 triumph.