Until maybe this weekend, Dennis Schroder was not in a position to make this demand of the NBA. Five teams in less than two seasons with very few minutes, not exactly the guy you stop and listen to. Now, Schroder is the MVP who led the German national team to its first EuroBasket championship since 1993. And he’s one of the few who’s pulled a double FIBA World Cup and EuroBasket victory with an Olympic run in between. He credits a big part of this to the same core team that’s largely been the same for the past three years. And he wants the NBA to acknowledge his teammates.

Among them is Isaac Bonga. He last played for the Toronto Raptors in 2022. His Lakers era didn’t coincide with Schroder’s. The 25-year-old shifted his focus to his home country’s team. He became a 2x German Cup winner, Bundesliga winner, and now EuroBasket champion by the age of 25.

At this EuroBasket finals game, Bonga was the all-around contributor with 20 points in the 88-83 win over Turkiye. The forward locked down Germany’s defense multiple times this summer. Which is why he won the Best Defender and Finals MVP honors at EuroBasket 2025.

Schroder, who won EuroBasket MVP, hailed his young teammate’s individual honors on his Instagram Stories. “JUST RIGHT!!! NBA PLAYER HURRY BACK!!!” he wrote with an obvious nudge-nudge-wink-wink to the NBA to take note of this 25-year-old German phenom.

Far be it from Bonga’s team captain, who is the only one. The potential that the forward has shown proves he’s a defensive powerhouse for any team that has him. The sentiment that Schroder made loud and clear has spilled over on social media, where people want to see Isaac Bonga up against Wemby and Evan Mobley (the DPOY apparent and reigning DPOY, respectively).

Fans rally for Isaac Bonga’s NBA return

Isaac Bonga’s EuroBasket stats this season underscore the fact that he’s only 25 and playing against NBA heavyweights like Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo. While constantly facing a tough opponent, he averaged 9.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 1.4 SPG.

Even veteran NBA insider Kevin O’Connor didn’t sugarcoat it after seeing that stat line. “Isaac Bonga looks like he deserves another chance in the NBA. The improved jumper seems real: He’s made 38.3% of his 3s in three international seasons. Could be a steal of a signing like Yabusele was last summer.”

Apart from Dennis Schroder, another NBA player is campaigning for Bonga’s return. Right after the Final, Orlando Magic star and Bonga’s teammate, Franz Wagner, was asked if the youngster should come back to the NBA. “Yes, I do believe it, actually.” Wagner further said, “I think he’s shown for a couple of years now that he’s an elite defender, shoots the three really well, and can make some plays off the bounce too. So I think he could have a lot of teams interested in him.”

And you know which NBA team needs a defender like that? This fan very clearly points out, “Think the Lakers should seriously be open to exploring signing Bonga. Big Wing defender that makes 3’s at a decent clip.” Bonga was only 19 when he signed with the Lakers in 2018 and was sent to the G-League. In 2019, he was sent to the Wizards and the Raptors in 2021.

He’s becoming a clear favorite among Lakers fans, actually, with more comments like, “Isaac Bonga back with the Lakers? 🔥 The lost son’s return would be epic! He’s killing it in the tournament, and multiple NBA teams want him. With his insane defense, 3-point shot, and hustle, he’s a game-changer! 😤”

Some fans even hit out at the lack of defensive talent in the NBA, as seen overseas, like this one. “He defended five Positions today and provided Elite catch&react offense. Easily better than most NBA role players without a single standout skill.”

In case cynics don’t know what they’re sleeping on, this person spelled it out. “He could have shot 0-10 for 3 and had a terrible game in today’s final and it still wouldn’t have changed the fact that Isaac Bonga is an NBA player. Exactly the type of role player every team is looking for. Unbelievable he hasn’t been picked up.”

Isaac Bonga is decidedly silent on his teammates and fans rallying for his big redemption. According to some insiders, he’s not eligible to sign this year. But next year might be his. Fingers crossed!