Von Wafer
No. 12 – Boston Celtics | |
---|---|
Position | Shooting guard |
Personal information | |
Born | Homer, Louisiana | July 21, 1985
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
Listed weight | 209 lb (95 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Pineview High School R.L. Paschal Laurinburg Institute Heritage Christian Academy |
College | Florida State |
NBA draft | 2005: 2nd round, 39th overall pick |
Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers | |
Playing career | 2005–present |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Vakeaton Quamar Wafer (born on July 21, 1985 in Homer, Louisiana), commonly referred to as Von Wafer, is an American professional basketball player with the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association.[1]
He has previously played in the NBA with the L.A. Lakers, L.A. Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets. He was the 39th overall selection (ninth pick of the second round) in the 2005 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. His nickname is "The Dutch Cookie".[2]
High school
Wafer attended Pineview High School in Lisbon, Louisiana during his freshman, sophomore and junior years of high school. He averaged 32 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists during his junior season. Up to this point, Wafer was a virtual unknown on the national recruiting scene. Tim Loring, the coach of the Arkansas Wings AAU team, invited Wafer to play for them the summer before his senior year. This allowed Wafer to display his skills on a wider stage, and by the end of the summer, he was considered to be one of the top 10 seniors on many recruiting lists. He was also briefly at R.L. Paschal High School and Laurinburg Institute his senior year before deciding to attend and play at Heritage Christian Academy in Cleveland, Texas, where he averaged 26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 4 blocks per game.
Wafer was the seventh McDonald's High School All-American to play at Florida State University. During the game, he scored 8 points and finished second to LeBron James in the McDonald's All-American slam-dunk contest.[3]
College
During his freshman year at Florida State University in the 2003–04 season, Wafer averaged 7.9 points in 17.5 minutes a game with the Seminoles. He ranked third among all ACC freshmen with 43 three-point field goals made and scored in double figures 12 times. As a sophomore during the 2004-05 season, he led the team in scoring (12.5 ppg) and three-point field goals made (65). He made more than one three-point field goal in 14 games and surpassed the 20-point mark on six occasions. Despite some success that year, he was suspended for two games early in the season and benched frequently later. The Tallahassee Democrat reported that his family explained the suspensions were because of missed classes and study sessions.[4][5]
Professional career
Wafer declared himself as an early-entry candidate for the 2005 NBA Draft after his sophomore year at FSU despite many draft experts predicting he would not be drafted. There were several hurdles he had to overcome to become a viable option for an NBA team to select him. Wafer was not invited to the annual Chicago pre-draft camp, which provides players who are not viewed as first-round prospects a chance to display their abilities in front of NBA team personnel. During a workout with the Phoenix Suns, Wafer reportedly was frustrated by the physical play from Jan Jagla, and responded by laying an intentional elbow to Jagla's nose, then walked off the court and ended the workout at that point.[6][7] Los Angeles Lakers scout Irving Thomas, who played two seasons at FSU, saw three Seminoles games during the 2004-05 season and helped arrange a workout for Wafer with the Lakers.[8] Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak saw enough of Wafer's ability that they used the second of their two second-round picks to select Wafer in the draft.
Wafer was placed on waivers by the Los Angeles Lakers on October 26, 2006. He played in one pre-season game due to a bruised left heel.[9] Wafer then played for the Colorado 14ers of the NBA Development League during 2006-07, and was named Player of the Month in January 2007.[10] He was signed to a ten-day contract by the Los Angeles Clippers on February 21.[11] He played one minute[12] without scoring before being waived a week later.[13] On April 12, 2007, the Denver Nuggets signed Wafer for the remainder of the 2006-07 season.[12]
On February 21, 2008, the Denver Nuggets traded Wafer to the Portland Trail Blazers for Taurean Green. Wafer changed his number from 22 (which he wore with the Nuggets) to 24, as number 22 had been retired by the Trail Blazers to honor Clyde Drexler.[14]
Houston Rockets
Wafer was signed by the Houston Rockets and managed to keep a spot on the team due to his hot shooting in the preseason. On January 13, 2009, Wafer scored a career-high 23 points on 10-14 shooting in 39 minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers. He found a regular place in the Rockets' starting lineup due to good performance as well as an injury to regular starter, Tracy McGrady. He continued to impress by scoring 21 points vs the Jazz and hitting the game-winning three at a game in Boston that the Rockets won 89–85. In that month he averaged 14.3 points per game. After Wafer moved to a team in Greece, the Rockets offered him a contract midway through the next season. He signed the contract, but unfortunately failed his physical, so he could not join the struggling Rockets.
Olympiacos Piraeus
Wafer joined the Greek Euroleague club Olympiacos Piraeus in August 2009, signing a two-year $10 million gross income contract.[15][16] He was then waived by Olympiacos in December of 2009.[17] Wafer shot 36.4% from the field and averaged 3.0 points per game and 1.3 rebounds per game in the Greek A1 League with Olympiacos.[18] In Euroleague play, he shot 50% from the field and averaged 7.7 points per game, 1.3 rebounds per game, and 1.0 assists per game.[19]
Dallas Mavericks
On February 24, 2010, Wafer signed a 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks.[20] He was not expected to crack the rotation during his tenure and although he was eligible to play six games,[21] Wafer finished his contract with Dallas without playing a single minute.[22]
Boston Celtics
On July 3, 2010, Wafer signed a free agent deal with the Boston Celtics. On October 29, 2010, he was involved in a locker-room altercation with new teammate Delonte West.[23]
Career transactions
- June 28, 2005: Drafted 39th overall by Los Angeles Lakers in 2005 NBA Draft.
- Assigned to D-League's Fort Worth Flyers on February 27, 2006 until March 22, 2006 and on April 12, 2006 until end of season.[24]
- October 26, 2006: Waived by L.A. Lakers.[25]
- November 2, 2006: Drafted 22nd overall by Colorado 14ers in 2006 D-League Draft.[26]
- February 21, 2007: Signed as a free agent by Los Angeles Clippers.[27]
- February 28, 2007: Waived by L.A. Clippers.[13]
- March 6, 2007: Signed by D-League's Colorado.[28]
- April 13, 2007: Signed as a free agent by Denver Nuggets.[29]
- February 21, 2008: Traded by Denver to the Portland Trail Blazers for Taurean Green.[30]
- September 29, 2008: Signed as a free agent by Houston Rockets.[31]
- August 8, 2009: Signed as a free agent by Olympiacos Piraeus.[15][32]
- December 11, 2009: Waived by Olympiacos Piraeus.[33]
- February 24, 2010: Signed a ten-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks.[34]
NBA career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Regular season
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005–06 | L.A. Lakers | 16 | 0 | 4.6 | .158 | .118 | .750 | .5 | .3 | .2 | .0 | 1.3 |
2006–07 | L.A. Clippers | 1 | 0 | 1.0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
2007–08 | Denver | 21 | 0 | 4.3 | .263 | .067 | .750 | .5 | .2 | .1 | .1 | 1.3 |
2007–08 | Portland | 8 | 0 | 8.0 | .304 | .273 | .500 | 1.1 | .3 | .0 | .2 | 2.4 |
2008–09 | Houston | 63 | 11 | 19.4 | .447 | .390 | .752 | 1.8 | 1.1 | .6 | .1 | 9.7 |
Career | 109 | 11 | 13.3 | .412 | .337 | .745 | 1.3 | .8 | .4 | .1 | 6.2 |
Playoffs
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008–09 | Houston | 13 | 0 | 13.9 | .424 | .409 | .864 | .9 | .7 | .2 | .1 | 8.2 |
Career | 13 | 0 | 13.9 | .424 | .409 | .864 | .9 | .7 | .2 | .1 | 8.2 |
Notes
- ^ Celtics sign Wafer
- ^ "Cookie Rojas among Page 2's All-Dessert team". ESPN. 2010-07-24. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
- ^ Landman, Brian (2003-11-19). "Buzz grows over renewed 'Noles". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Block of the Night - NBA Videos and Highlights". NBA.com. 2008-12-10. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
- ^ "Von Wafer Draft Bio". ESPN.com Insider. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
- ^ "Articles - The final recap". HoopsHype. 2005-06-13. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
- ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ "LAKERS: 2006-07 Waivers". NBA.com. 2006-10-31. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
- ^ Colorado Guard Von Wafer D-League Player of Month, February 2, 2007
- ^ Clippers sign Von Wafer
- ^ a b Nuggets add two guards
- ^ a b Clippers Sign Will Conroy to 10-Day Contract
- ^ "Trail Blazers acquire Von Wafer from Denver in exchange for Taurean Green". nba.com. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
- ^ a b ESPN.com Wafer says he's signed with Olympiakos.
- ^ Chron.com Wafer takes game overseas Ex-Rockets G gets big pay raise from Olympiakos; former team seals deal with Andersen.
- ^ Talkbasket.net Von Wafer history for Olympiacos, officially.
- ^ Galanissportsdata.com OLYMPIACOS (Total Stats Regular Season After day 6).
- ^ Euroleague.net WAFER, VON.
- ^ Wafer's officially a Maverick - Dallas Mavericks Blog - ESPN Dallas
- ^ Dallas Mavericks sign Von Wafer to 10-day contract - ESPN Dallas
- ^ Report: C's sign Von Wafer - Boston Celtics Blog - ESPN Boston
- ^ "Wafer, West brawl after Celtics practice". NBA.com. 2010-10-29. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
- ^ NBA Development League: 2005-2006 D-League Transactions
- ^ Lakers: 2006-07 Waivers
- ^ NBA Development League: D-League Draft Board
- ^ Clippers Sign Von Wafer to 10-Day Contract
- ^ NBA Development League: 2006-07 D-League Transactions
- ^ Nuggets Sign Carter, Wafer for Remainder of the Season
- ^ Trail Blazers acquire Von Wafer from Denver in exchange for Taurean Green
- ^ NBA.com - September 2008 Transactions
- ^ Chron.com Wafer takes game overseas Ex-Rockets G gets big pay raise from Olympiakos; former team seals deal with Andersen
- ^ Talkbasket.net Von Wafer history for Olympiacos, officially
- ^ MAVERICKS SIGN GUARD VON WAFER TO 10-DAY CONTRACT
External links
- 1985 births
- Living people
- American basketball players
- American expatriate basketball people in Greece
- Basketball players from Louisiana
- Boston Celtics players
- People from Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
- McDonald's High School All-Americans
- Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball)
- Florida State Seminoles men's basketball players
- Los Angeles Lakers draft picks
- Los Angeles Lakers players
- Los Angeles Clippers players
- Denver Nuggets players
- Olympiacos B.C. players
- Portland Trail Blazers players
- Houston Rockets players
- Shooting guards