Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James said he would not be surprised if former teammate Dennis Schroder eventually earns a spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Speaking on the latest episode of the “Mind the Game” podcast, James pointed to Schroder’s recent accomplishments with the German national team as evidence of a possible Hall-worthy résumé.
“If it happens, I wouldn’t be shocked,” James remarked. “He’s put in the work.”
Schroder, 30, guided Germany to its first FIBA EuroBasket championship in more than three decades last summer and collected EuroBasket MVP honors. He followed that by leading the Germans to their inaugural FIBA World Cup title in 2023, where he was again named tournament MVP.
James noted that Hall of Fame voters assess a player’s entire basketball portfolio, not just NBA achievements. While Schroder has primarily served as a role player during his two stints with the Lakers (2021 and 2023), his international résumé has strengthened his case.
Lakers Injury Update
The podcast appearance came as the Lakers confirmed that James, entering his 23rd NBA season, is dealing with right-side sciatica. The condition is expected to sideline him on Opening Night, marking the first time in his career he will miss the season opener.
Source: Lakers Nation