James and Nash say: Dennis Schroder deserves to be inducted into NBA Hall of Fame in the future

According to Nico Martinez, an analyst at US sports media F/W. James and Nash believe Schroeder's international career deserves Hall of Fame recognition. On the latest episode of Mind the Game, the two NBA legends praised Schroeder's achievements with Germany, saying his success on the global stage puts him among the greatest players in the history of the FIBA ​​game. "He's a Hall of Famer," Nash said. "He's basically a World Championship MVP, a European Cup MVP, an Olympic final or semifinalist. Isn't that a FIBA ​​Hall of Famer? What do you think?"

As a regular on the U.S. team, James has Olympic experience and first-hand experience against Schroeder and the German team. He knows how important he is to them, which is why he agrees with Nash and admits he wouldn't be surprised if he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. "I saw a lot of his numbers and accomplishments this summer after EuroBasket," LeBron added. "If it happened, I wouldn't say, Oh my god, I'm so surprised."

Of course, Schroeder is not the first choice among fans for NBA Hall of Fame candidates. In 12 years in the league, his numbers were modest at best, averaging 13.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists while shooting 43.2% from the field. He's played a variety of roles over the years, from starting point guard to sixth man, to varying degrees of success. In the 2024-25 season, with three different teams, he maintained his status by averaging 13.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game, while shooting 37.8% from the field. While those numbers are solid enough, they alone won't get Schroeder into the Hall of Fame. Rather, it was his performance with Germany that made him valuable.

To date, Schroeder has won two FIBA ​​medals: the 2023 FIBA ​​World Cup and the 2025 FIBA ​​EuroBasket. In 2023, he led the German team to an overwhelming victory with averages of 19.1 points and 6.1 assists per game. He did it again last summer at EuroBasket, averaging 20.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. While Schröder may not be as popular with the Germans as Nowitzki is, no one can deny that he has played a key role in their recent success. Like it or not, he's been Germany's leading man for years and that's not going to change anytime soon. At the age of 32, his story is not over yet, whether in the NBA or overseas.

As he prepares for his first season with the Kings, the Hall of Fame is the last thing on Schroeder's mind. After celebrating his country's victory in the summer, he is ready to take the field again and will be under intense pressure to perform after signing a three-year, $43 million contract. Fortunately, he got James' seal of approval, which speaks volumes about his impact on the sport and the impression he left on his peers.

Schroeder has represented Germany at the highest level for more than a decade, and his work has been rewarded with international honours. From leading his country to a World Cup gold medal to winning MVP honors at the European Basketball Championship, Schroeder's resume is the best of any defender in international history. If his career ended today, he would already be one of the most accomplished players in Europe and it's clear he has earned the respect of his peers. That James and Nash call him a Hall of Famer speaks to the magnitude of what Schroder has built beyond the NBA stage.