There is still a question mark behind the use of NBA professional Dennis Schröder in the Olympic qualification with the national basketball team (June 29 to July 4). “He’ll come if he can,” said national coach Henrik Rödl in a press conference on Thursday: “And that’s what he’s going to try to find out now.”
After the surprising end in the first round of the playoffs with the Los Angeles Lakers, playmaker Schröder (27) had signaled his readiness (“would like to make it safe”). Obviously there are still things to be clarified, Rödl did not give details.
“Dennis Schröder said that he would really like to be there. We’re still talking about whether this will be possible and when it could be possible,” said Rödl: “It is clear that this was very unexpected because he did expected to get much, much farther. We’ll deal with whatever the situation is. “
Other personal details are also open with a view to the NBA professionals. So far, Daniel Theis (Chicago Bulls) and Isaiah Hartenstein (Cleveland Cavaliers) have canceled. “We talked to Maxi Kleber, it doesn’t look so good, he has problems with his foot,” said Rödl. The professional from the Dallas Mavericks had recently left his decision open. There are Moritz Wagner (Orlando Magic) and Isaac Bonga (Washington Wizards).
With Paul Zipser from Bayern Munich, who, according to the club, is currently not available “due to neurological problems”, one “cannot necessarily count at the moment,” said Rödl.
On Friday or Saturday Rödl (“the last few weeks have been a big puzzle”) will nominate 15 players for the Supercup in Hamburg (June 18th to 20th). After the four-country tournament, the dress rehearsal against Senegal is due in Heidelberg (June 24th). The national team is playing in Split / Croatia for the ticket for the summer games in Tokyo. Only the winner qualifies.
DBB – Rödl on follow-up discussion: “I am not interested”
Meanwhile, Rödl is not worried about a possible replacement of his post because of the speculation. “That doesn’t really interest me at the moment. I try to concentrate on what lies in front of me,” said Rödl.
Rödl’s contract expires after the Olympic qualification tournament – at the latest after the Summer Games in Tokyo (July 23 to August 8). Most recently, John Patrick was traded by Bundesliga club MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg as a candidate for the successor.
“We have a chance to qualify for the Olympics. I don’t have time for other thoughts at the moment,” said Rödl: “I’m really looking forward to this task. Everything else will work out by itself.”
Rödl, national coach since 2017, is quite relaxed about the future. “At some point all contracts will expire. I have always said that my lifelong dream is the Olympic Games. After that, you have to reorient yourself.”
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