Schröder Shares Emotional Reason for Wearing No. 71 with Warriors
Dennis Schröder opens up about the heartfelt significance of wearing No. 71 with the Warriors, honoring his late father’s legacy.
Dennis Schröder, Warriors, NBA, Braunschweig, Germany, Axel Schröder
San Francisco: So, Dennis Schröder just got traded to the Warriors, and he’s wearing No. 71. But it’s not just a random number. It’s got a deep meaning for him.
Back when he was a teenager in Germany, he had a heart-to-heart with his dad, Axel. His dad was all about basketball and wanted Dennis to chase that dream. But Dennis was into other stuff too, like skateboarding and soccer.
Then, one day, they talked about how basketball could change his life. Axel told him he could help support their family through the game. Tragically, just six days after that chat, Axel passed away. That moment flipped a switch for Dennis.
He took his dad’s advice to heart and jumped into pro basketball. He started with SG Braunschweig and quickly made a name for himself. By the time he declared for the NBA Draft in 2013, he was ready to shine.
When he got picked by the Atlanta Hawks, he wore No. 17, which was his dad’s favorite number. He’s kept that number through most of his career, except for a brief stint with the Celtics where he had to wear No. 71 instead.
Now, with the Warriors, he’s in a similar boat since No. 17 is retired. But he’s cool with wearing No. 71. To him, it’s still a way to honor his dad. He feels that connection every time he steps on the court.
Even though Axel isn’t around to see how far Dennis has come, his influence is still strong. Dennis is determined to keep his father’s legacy alive as he plays the game he loves.