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InterBasket > Player Profiles > Detlef Schrempf, Germany NBa.com: Detlef Schrempf is one of Germany's most successful NBA player and a unique talent. He played on 1984 West German and 1992 German Olympic teams. Schrempf majored in International Business while at Washington State University. A responsible citizen, Schrempf established the Detlef Schrempf Foundation in 1996 to benefit local charities, which hosts the Detlef Schrempf Celebrity Golf Classic every year. He and his wife, Mary, a former hurdler on the former West German National Team, have two sons. His favorite television show is "Cheers." Favorite athletes in other sports are Joe Montana and fellow countryman Boris Becker. In a pro career that has spanned 14 seasons, the versatile 6-10 forward has won two NBA Sixth Man Awards, made three All-Star Game appearances, earned a spot on the All-NBA Third Team and helped the Seattle SuperSonics reach the NBA Finals in 1995-96! He signed with the Portland Trail Blazers as a free agent prior to the 1999-2000 season. A native of Leverkusen, Germany, Schrempf came to the United States for his senior year of high school, attending Centralia High in the state of Washington. He played college ball at the University of Washington, where he finished among the school's all-time top 10 in eight statistical categories. As a senior in 1984-85 he averaged 15.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting .558 from the floor. He was named to the All-Pac-10 Team and the Sporting News All-America Second Team. Versatility has always been Schrempf's strength. At 6-10, he has the size to work inside, but he is also an effective driver, adept passer and excellent long-range shooter. He has twice lost the three-point shooting title on the last day of the season. Because of his multiple skills, Schrempf was projected by many to be “the next Larry Bird” when he was selected eighth overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1985 NBA Draft. Although Schrempf started slowly and never achieved Bird-like numbers, he has developed into an excellent NBA player. He also played for the German Olympic team in 1984 and 1992. Schrempf spent 3 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, where he was used as a reserve behind Mark Aguirre and Sam Perkins. In 1986-87 he was the team's three-point threat, finishing second in the NBA with a .478 three-point percentage. Traded to Indiana during the 1988-89 season, Schrempf blossomed with the Pacers, averaging 16.1 points and 7.9 rebounds for four seasons. He won the NBA Sixth Man Award in both 1991 and 1992. In 1992-93 he averaged 19.1 points and 9.5 rebounds to rank second on the Pacers in scoring and first in rebounding. He made his first appearance in the NBA All-Star Game that season. Prior to the 1993-94 campaign the Pacers traded Schrempf to the Seattle SuperSonics for Derrick McKey and Gerald Paddio. Schrempf continued to excel on a deep and talented Seattle team. In 1994-95, his second year with the Sonics, he averaged 19.2 points and 6.2 rebounds, played in his second All-Star Game, and made the All-NBA Third Team. He also finished second in the league in three-point shooting with a remarkable .514 percentage. In 1995-96, despite missing 19 games with a fracture in his left leg, he contributed to the Sonics' run to the NBA Finals, ranking third on the team with 17.1 ppg and 5.2 rpg and second on the club with 4.4 apg. Schrempf was Seattle's third-leading scorer in 1996-97 as well, averaging 16.8 ppg, and ranked second on the team with 6.5 rpg and 4.4 apg. In 1997 he made his third All-Star appearance. He had another fine all-around season in 1997-98, again finishing third on the team in scoring at 15.8 ppg and second in rebounding at 7.1 rpg and assists at 4.4 apg. He ranked among the NBA's top 40 in those three categories as well as all three shooting categories. He played all 50 games for the Sonics in 1998-99 and averaged 15.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, ranking second on the team in both categories. But on August 2, 1999, the Sonics renounced their rights to Schrempf, and on that same day he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers as a free agent.	Detlef Schrempf Profile Name: Detlef Schrempf Postion: Forward/Center Nickname: Born: 01/21/1963 Status: Retired as player, active as assistant coach for the Sonics. Origin: Leverkusen, Germany Height: 6-10/2m 08cm Weight: 235lbs/106,6 kg Schools: Centralia HS (WA), University of Washington '85 Drafted: 1985, First Round, 8th pick by the Dallas Mavericks Languages: German, English Website: Detlef.com & InterBasket Teams (jersey): West German National Team, German National Team, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Seattle Supersonics (11), Portland Trailblazers (12) IBN Notes: Before Dirk Nowitzki was dazzling scouts at international junior competitions, Detlef Schrempf had already laid the groundwork for his fellow future NBA Superstar.  Detlef was not only the first German in the NBA, but one of the first international players to play in the NBA. The comparison to Uwe Blab ends there, as Detlef's 16-year career was one of the more successful ones during the 1980s and 1990s when international-born players could be counted on two-hands. IBN Facts: Detlef moved to the USA during his junior year of high school.  Won consecutive NBA Sixth Man Awards in 1990 and 1991, and then played in his one and only NBA All-star game during the 1992-93 season.
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