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Dennis Schröder (archive image)
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Swen gatekeeper / dpa
The German basketball players have to do without NBA star Dennis Schröder at the Olympics.
The 27-year-old point guard, who was last under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, will not be on the plane to Tokyo on Sunday, as the German Basketball Association (DBB) announced on Friday.
"The reason for this is still the enormous insurance requirements that cannot be met," says a joint communication from Schröder's management and DBB.
“I would have loved to have been there in Tokyo.
It's the Olympic Games, that's pretty much the greatest for an athlete, and I've always dreamed of participating in the Olympics.
I am of course very disappointed that I cannot play and fight together with the team in this important tournament, «said Schröder.
Schröder already missed the qualifying tournament
The native of Braunschweig had already missed the qualifying tournament in Split because of the unresolved insurance issue.
After the German team had qualified for Tokyo, Schröder had flirted again with an Olympic participation.
“My agent has to do his job now.
The German national team has done its job, let's see «, said Schröder, who supported the German team at all four games as a spectator in the hall.
Schröder is currently without a contract, hoping from the beginning of August when the so-called Free Agency begins in the USA, but for a high-value contract in the three-digit million range.
Most recently, the DBB tried to find a solution to the Schröder case.
Even before the qualifying tournament, this was not possible due to its high market value in coordination between Schröder's management, DBB and an insurance company.
“We had to reckon with this development.
But it is of course clear that you leave no stone unturned for a world-class player like Dennis, «said national coach Henrik Rödl.
Schröder now wants to keep his fingers crossed at home.
"I'm definitely the team's biggest fan and I really believe in the boys," he said.
Germany will face Italy, Nigeria and Australia in the preliminary round of the Olympics.
ngo / dpa / sid