Toronto Raptors guard Dennis Schroder is not at 100 per cent as he prepares for the FIBA World Cup with Germany due to an Achilles injury, according to BasketNews.com.
Schroder suffered the Achilles injury towards the end of the 2022-23 NBA season.
“I had Achilles tendon problems at the end of the season and then all the time in the off-season,” Schroder told the German media on Tuesday, per BasketNews.
The 29-year-old also said, “I’ve had it treated, and I’m trying to get back to 100 per cent … Everyone’s getting ready. It’s looking very good.”
The 10-year NBA veteran signed a two-year, $26 million contract with the Raptors in the off-season after playing last season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
In 66 games with Los Angeles, he averaged 12.6 points and 4.5 assists while shooting 41.5 per cent from the field.
Germany head coach and Gordon Herbert, a Canadian, said Schroder is “in good shape, but he’s not in top basketball shape yet.”
“We still have time. We work on it every day. We have to work hard in training, but we also need days to recover,” he added.
Schroder is the captain of a loaded German team that includes the likes of Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, Indiana Pacers forward Daniel Theis and Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber.
Germany hosts Canada in an exhibition game on Wednesday.
The World Cup starts on Aug. 25. Germany is scheduled to start the tournament against Group E host Japan. They are joined in the group by Finland and Australia.
