It got better for Dennis Schroder.
During player introductions prior to the start of the Rising Stars Challenge, the Hawks guard was announced as being from Greece.
Oops.
Hailing from Germany, Schroder helped the World Team defeat the United States Team, 121-112, in the rookie-sophomore game at Barclays Center as part of All-Star Weekend.
Schroder finished with 13 points on 6 of 11 shooting with a game-high nine rebounds. He also had three steals and three turnovers in 23 minutes.
Speaking like a true Hawks player, Schroder credited the World Team’s defense for the win.
“In the second half we picked up the defense and pushed the pace on offense,” said Schroder, who started at point guard. “We tried to find the open guys and knocked them down. We had some stops.”
Well, the World did hold the U.S. to 45 second-half points after allowing 67 first-half points.
Andrew Wiggins led the World with 22 points and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Rudy Gobert had the game’s only double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Victor Oladipo and Zach LaVine each had 22 points for the United States Team. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, out of the University of Georgia, had eight points on 3 of 15 shooting.
Schroder admitted after the game there was extra incentive to win in the new format for the Rising Stars Challenge, pitting the United States against the World.
“Everybody said we had to win because we are the world,” Schroder said of his teammates. “That’s why we wanted to win the game.”
The victorious World Team was coached by the Hawks’ staff, led by lead assistant Kenny Atkinson.
About the Author
