Home Basketball Dennis Schroder reflects on his time spent with Austin Reaves on the Lakers as they prepare to face Team USA

Dennis Schroder reflects on his time spent with Austin Reaves on the Lakers as they prepare to face Team USA

Basketball — 09/07/2023

Dennis Schroder, who recently left the Los Angeles Lakers, will face off against Austin Reaves once again in the NBA on Friday, but the two will first meet at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where Schroder will be representing Germany and Reaves will be leading the United States.

The 29-year-old, who became a free agent and joined the Toronto Raptors in July, declared that he felt “nothing but love” for his 25-year-old rival.Schroder signed a two-year, $26 million contract with the Raptors after finishing his second stint with the Lakers last season. As a restricted free agent, Reaves re-signed with the Los Angeles Rams for four years and $56 million.

Last year, they were both crucial contributors for the Lakers down the stretch and in the playoffs as they advanced to the Western Conference Finals before being swept by the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets in five games.

Germany, with Schroder as a starter, advanced to face the United States in the semifinals after an 81-79 victory over Latvia in the quarterfinals. In six games thus far, he has averaged 18.0 points per game while also contributing 6.3 assists per game. His highest scoring output came in a game where he scored 30 points.

Reaves has been a reserve for Team USA, which won its quarterfinal game against Italy by a score of 100-63. In six games so far, he has made 26 of 28 free throw attempts and is averaging 11.0 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game.

In an exhibition game before to the tournament, Schroder and Reaves embraced after the United States of America won 99-91, marking their first reunion in quite some time.

The Lakers waived Schroder this offseason and replaced him with free agents Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, and Jaxson Hayes. Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura were all re-signed by Los Angeles, and Christian Wood was just signed this week.

Schroder has thanked the Lakers for their time and stated he hopes to one day be a team captain. The Raptors provide him with a chance at the starting point guard position.

But before he faces either Serbia or Canada on Sunday in the World Cup final, he must first lead Germany past Reaves and Team USA.