SEATTLE — When Detlef Schrempf made the move from Leverkusen, West Germany to Centralia, Washington as a 16-year-old, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He admitted that coming from an industrial city in Europe, Centralia was somewhat of a “rude awakening” for him.
Schrempf settled in quickly in the states, though, leading the Tigers to a state championship in his lone season in 1981 before an exceptional collegiate and professional career.
He was honored by the University of Washington on Saturday, when his No. 22 UW jersey was retired at halftime of Washington’s matchup against Wisconsin.
“Seeing your name up there is kinda scary,” Schrempf joked to open his speech during the ceremony. “Who would have imagined that a skinny, shy kid from Leverkusen, Germany could come to the United States and one day have his jersey raised to the rafters at a place he fell in love with?”
Both during his ceremonial speech and afterwards, Schrempf was reflective of his entire career, which included his one season with legendary coach Ron Brown and the Tigers.
When he said Brown’s name, a cheer rose from the crowd. He also mentioned former Centralia assistant Don Mason and former UW coach Marv Harshman.
“I wish they were all here and were still be with us,” Schrempf said. “Because this moment would be so special for them.”
In his lone season with the Tigers, Schrempf scored 15.4 points per game and shot 57% from the floor, earning St. Helens League MVP honors while leading Centralia to a 25-1 record and a state title. In the championship game against Timberline, he scored 24 points, and he was named the AA State Tournament Most Valuable Player.
“It was a special year,” Schrempf said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I was fortunate to land there.”
Schrempf credited his youth coach in Germany for helping him develop into a well-rounded player, something that translated both in Centralia and at the higher levels.
“I just played basketball,” Schrempf said. “I think that was just part of it, loving the game. To me, it’s not about shooting or scoring. I just like winning and making the right play … I was lucky, I came here, and Ron Brown was the same way.”
After his season with the Tigers, Schrempf attended UW, where he quickly developed into a premier player.
Schrempf finished his college career as a two-time First Team All-Pac 10 honoree (1984-85), and he was named a Third Team All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches in 1985. He helped lead the Huskies to back-to-back Pac-10 Championships in 1984 and 1985.
He sits 18th on UW’s all-time scoring list, and in 1995, he was inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame.
In 1985, Schrempf was selected eighth overall in the NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, kickstarting a 16-year NBA career with the Mavericks, the Indiana Pacers, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the Portland Trail Blazers.
He earned three All-Star selections (‘93, ‘95, and ‘97), was named Third-Team All-NBA in 1995, and won back-to-back NBA Sixth Man of the Year Awards in 1991 and 1992.
He now joins Isaiah Thomas (No. 2, (2008-11), Brandon Roy (No. 3, 2002-06), Bob Houbregs (No. 25, 1950-53), and Christian Welp (No. 40, 1983-87), a former teammate of his, as men’s basketball players to have their jersey retired by UW.
Many of Schrempf’s former teammates and coaches were in attendance, including former SuperSonics Gary Payton, Sean Kemp, and Sam Perkins, as well as Brown’s surviving son, one of Brown’s former assistant coaches, and Mason’s two daughters.
“I think that’s kind of a point where we live in a special place,” Schrempf said. “And we have to make an effort to keep it that way.”
Schrempf also shared that his journey wasn’t always straightforward.
At one point before moving to the United States, he thought he was going to end up at a high school in California. Out of Centralia, two other schools were recruiting him before UW eventually came in with an offer.
“I am grateful for everything,” Schrempf said. “All those things that, one different step, and your life could be totally different. I just consider myself very fortunate that I am where I am, but also the journey I had.”
