Zagars adds next chapter to Hollywood screenplay vs former boss Schroder

MANILA (Philippines) - Everybody was waiting to watch the Arturs Zagars vs Dennis Schroder matchup in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Quarter-Finals. As it turns out, Zagars' story and his connection to the German star playmaker is the stuff of Hollywood filmmakers.

The setting couldn't have been any bigger. Latvia are debuting in the World Cup and beat superpowers France and Spain en route to becoming one of the top eight teams in the world. And the Baltic team was facing a Germany team many feel could challenge for the title - with few really giving Latvia a big chance of winning the game.

Zagars showed the moment was not too big for him.

Arturs Zagars consoles Davis Bertans after the latter missed the attempted game-winner

The 23-year-old Latvian poured in 24 points while making 9-of-17 shots, including 4 three-pointers. He also dished out 8 assists and grabbed 2 rebounds in a thrilling 81-79 loss to Germany.

"We were one shot away from making even bigger history than we already made," Zagars said referring to Davis Bertans missing a three-pointer just before the buzzer to go for the win. "I am just happy about being part of this group. A lot of Latvian people are proud of us I hope. We definitely put the Latvian name on the map."

 

Latvia's NBA star shooter Davis Bertans praised Zagars.

"He's shown himself well. We trust him. Without him we wouldn’t even be close to this position where we," said Bertans, who drained 6 three-pointers in scoring 20 points in the loss.

Zagars has been one of the biggest surprises in the World Cup. He is averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 45 percent from long range in his first major tournament.

Zagars also out-played Germany's star leader Schroder, who made just 4-of-26 shots in scoring 9 points and committed 4 of the team's 8 turnovers.

Now comes the screenplay writers material.

Zagars played last season at Lithuanian side Nevezis, but the 1.90m (6ft 3in) guard is currently a free agent.

"We took a gamble. Me and my agent talked about that I could perform here and get a better deal afterwards," he said after the game. "But obviously my first intention was to do something special with this team which we did. I am happy I took the gamble on myself."

Zagars has long been a highly regarded prospect in European basketball, but he has been battling injuries for much of the start of his professional career. With his performance first in Jakarta and then the Quarter-Finals, Zagars certainly has played himself into a bigger contract than he would have garnered before the World Cup.

One team unlikely able to afford him is German side Basketball Lowen Braunschweig. Zagars actually played for them already in 2021-22, moving on loan from Spanish club Joventut Badalona in January 2022. Zagars did a solid job re-establishing his career as he put up 7.3 points and 2.7 assists in 13 games in Germany.

Here is the next big plot twist in the Hollywood blockbuster.

Zagars not only out-shined Schroder on the biggest stage, but he out-dueled his former boss as the German captain is owner of the Braunschweig club.

Right on cue … as Zagars is being interviewed in the mixed zone, Schroder pops up behind Zagars and pounded on his shoulders and told him how great he played.

 

"He's special, he's special man. He played on my team!," offered Schroder about his former player.

Schroder as it turns out was Zagars' role model.

"I was 18 at the Treviso NBA camp and I had a question who my favourite player was and I said Dennis Schroder. I feel like I have come a long way," Zagars said. "It means a lot for him(Schroder) to say that. He helped me get out of Joventut and gave me a chance to play and finally get the rhythm of basketball back and just enjoy basketball again. And here I am now."

And how does he think of Schroder now?

"Now he's not my favorite player because he's my competitor. But I still respect him a lot. And it means a lot."

Attention Hollywood, this story is just waiting to be brought to the big screen.

FIBA