Raptors guard Dennis Schroder has heated spat with Germany coach at FIBA World Cup

Toronto Raptors point guard Dennis Schroder has been one of the standout players during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, averaging 19.8 points and 6.8 assists per game through five contests for the undefeated German squad.

Despite the success Schroder and his team are experiencing this summer, things still reached a boiling point early in Sunday's game against Slovenia. With Germany trailing 16-11 midway through the first quarter, Schroder got into a verbal altercation with head coach Gordon Herbert. Schroder was in the middle of a conversation with teammate Daniel Theis when Herbert told his point guard to sit down while physically grabbing his shoulder.

Schroder did not appreciate the way his coach pushed him, or the tone of his voice, and repeatedly told Herbert to "chill out" and not to touch him like that.

Schroder and Theis were subbed out following the timeout. Herbert said after the game that the matter would be handled internally.

Germany overcame the early adversity and cruised to a 100-71 victory against the Luka Doncic-led Slovenians. Schroder finished with a game-high 24 points and 10 assists in 25 minutes.

Schroder and Co. will look to continue their strong run at the tournament when they meet Latvia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Once the FIBA World Cup ends, Schroder will shift his focus to the Raptors, who he signed a two-year, $26-million contract with earlier this summer. Toronto will be counting on the 29-year-old to lead the backcourt after losing franchise icon Fred VanVleet to the Houston Rockets.

Schroder spent the 2022-23 NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 12.6 points and 4.5 assists in 66 games. He shot 41% from the field and connected on 33% of his 3-point attempts.

The veteran has 10 seasons of NBA experience under his belt after being drafted 17th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2013. He spent the first five years of his career with the Hawks and has also had stints with the Thunder, Celtics and Rockets, in addition to the Lakers.