Vakeaton Quamar "Von" Wafer (born July 21, 1985) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Florida State Seminoles.
Wafer has previously played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic. He was the 39th overall selection (ninth pick of the second round) in the 2005 NBA draft by the Lakers. His nickname is "The Dutch Cookie".[1]
High school
editWafer 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 that 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 ten 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.[2]
College
editDuring 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.[3][4]
Professional career
editWafer 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.[5][6] 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.[7] 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 Lakers on October 26, 2006. He played in only one pre-season game due to a bruised left heel.[8] 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.[9] He was signed to a ten-day contract by the Los Angeles Clippers on February 21.[10] He played one minute[11] without scoring before being waived a week later.[12] On April 12, 2007, the Denver Nuggets signed Wafer for the remainder of the 2006–07 season.[11]
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.[13]
Houston Rockets
editWafer 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 versus 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 failed his physical, so he could not join the Rockets.
Olympiacos Piraeus
editWafer joined the Greek Euroleague club Olympiacos Piraeus in August 2009, signing a two-year $10 million gross income contract.[14][15] He was then waived by Olympiacos in December 2009.[16] 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.[17] 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.[18]
Dallas Mavericks
editOn February 24, 2010, Wafer signed a ten-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks.[19] He was not expected to crack the rotation during his tenure and although he was eligible to play six games,[20] Wafer finished his contract with Dallas without playing a single minute.[21]
Boston Celtics
editOn July 3, 2010, Wafer signed a free agent deal with the Boston Celtics.[22] On October 29, 2010, he was involved in a locker-room altercation with new teammate Delonte West.[23]
Vanoli-Braga Cremona
editIn August 2011, during the 2011 NBA lockout, he signed a one-year contract with Vanoli-Braga Cremona in Italy.[24]
Orlando Magic
editWafer was traded to the Magic on December 12, 2011, along with Glen Davis for Brandon Bass.[25] He was waived by the Magic at the end of the 2011–12 season.[26]
Move to CBA
editWafer moved to China in 2012, signed a one-year contract with Xinjiang Flying Tigers worth $2 million. He played 34 games for Xinjiang, averaged 26.4 points with a shooting percentage of 55.4%. He also got 4.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game.[27]
In October 2013, he signed with the Shanghai Sharks, the team owned by his former teammate Yao Ming at the Rockets.[28] In December 2013, he left the Sharks.
Bakersfield Jam
editOn January 10, 2014, he was acquired by the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League.[29] On January 28, 2014, he was waived by the Jam.
Russia
editOn February 3, 2014, he signed with BC Krasny Oktyabr for the rest of the 2013–2014 season.[30]
Delaware 87ers
editOn November 26, 2016, Wafer returned to the United States, signing with the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League.[31][32]
Westchester Knicks
editOn December 14, 2016, Wafer was traded to the Westchester Knicks in exchange for Devondrick Walker.[33]
Return to CBA
editOn August 27, 2017, Wafer returned to China, signing with the Jilin Northeast Tigers.[34]
NBA career statistics
edit| 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
edit| 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 | .0 | 1.3 |
| 2007–08 | Portland | 8 | 0 | 8.0 | .304 | .273 | .500 | 1.1 | .3 | .0 | .3 | 2.4 |
| 2008–09 | Houston | 63 | 11 | 19.4 | .447 | .390 | .752 | 1.8 | 1.1 | .6 | .1 | 9.7 |
| 2010–11 | Boston | 58 | 2 | 9.5 | .421 | .269 | .842 | .8 | .6 | .3 | .1 | 3.2 |
| 2011–12 | Orlando | 33 | 1 | 14.2 | .452 | .359 | .704 | 1.4 | .9 | .3 | .1 | 5.9 |
| Career | 200 | 14 | 12.4 | .420 | .325 | .751 | 1.2 | .7 | .4 | .1 | 5.3 | |
Playoffs
edit| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Houston | 13 | 0 | 13.9 | .424 | .409 | .864 | .9 | .7 | .2 | .1 | 8.2 |
| 2011 | Boston | 3 | 0 | 1.7 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .3 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| 2012 | Orlando | 1 | 0 | 6.0 | .600 | .000 | .000 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 6.0 |
| Career | 17 | 0 | 11.2 | .424 | .391 | .864 | .8 | .5 | .1 | .1 | 6.6 | |
References
edit- ^ "Cookie Rojas among Page 2's All-Dessert team". ESPN. July 24, 2010. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
- ^ Landman, Brian (November 19, 2003). "Buzz grows over renewed 'Noles". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- ^ [1] Archived April 2, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Block of the Night – NBA Videos and Highlights". NBA.com. December 10, 2008. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
- ^ "Von Wafer Draft Bio". ESPN.com Insider. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
- ^ "Articles – The final recap". HoopsHype. June 13, 2005. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
- ^ [2] Archived April 2, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "LAKERS: 2006–07 Waivers". NBA.com. October 31, 2006. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
- ^ Colorado Guard Von Wafer D-League Player of Month, February 2, 2007
- ^ Clippers sign Von Wafer
- ^ a b "Nuggets add two guards". Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2007.
- ^ Clippers Sign Will Conroy to 10-Day Contract
- ^ "Trail Blazers acquire Von Wafer from Denver in exchange for Taurean Green". nba.com. Retrieved February 21, 2008.
- ^ 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). Archived 2010-01-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 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
- ^ Celtics sign Wafer
- ^ "Wafer, West brawl after Celtics practice". NBA.com. October 29, 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
- ^ Vanoli Cremona agreed to terms with Von Wafer
- ^ "Magic Acquire Glen Davis and Von Wafer". NBA.com. December 12, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
- ^ Orlando Magic waive Von Wafer
- ^ HoopChina.com. "CBA Statistics (In Chinese)". Retrieved October 21, 2013.
- ^ Von Wafer signs with Shanghai Sharks
- ^ Bakersfield Acquires Von Wafer
- ^ "Von Wafer signs in Russia with Krasny Oktyabr Volgograd". Sportando.net. February 3, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
- ^ "RELEASE: SEVENS ADD VON WAFER". NBA.com. November 25, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
- ^ Schmidt, Dakota (November 26, 2016). "Von Wafer Signs With The Delaware 87ers. Can He Have One Last NBA Opportunity?". SBNation.com. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ^ Hatch, Katie (December 14, 2016). "WESTCHESTER KNICKS ACQUIRE VON WAFER". NBA.com. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
- ^ "Von Wafer signs with Northeast Tigers". Sportando. August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2017.