Von Wafer: One Moment, One Opportunity

In July of 2016, Von Wafer was seeking another opportunity. Since he’s gained that opportunity, Wafer has excelled in his role with the Westchester Knicks.

One thing that the NBA D-League offers is opportunity. An opportunity to show what a player can do. An opportunity to prove their value and show that a player can compete with the best athletes in the world.

For most players, veterans or rookies, an opportunity is all they need.

It’s been nearly five years since Von Wafer’s last appearance in an NBA game. Outside of five games with the then Bakersfield Jam during the 2013-14 season, Wafer spent the past five seasons in Italy, China, Puerto Rico, and Russia.

Over the course of his 12-year career, Von Wafer has experienced several positive and negative moments. Although Wafer had altercations in Boston and China, he doesn’t want to be remembered like that.

The 31-year-old guard wants to leave behind a different legacy.

“This is everything for me. I just don’t want to leave behind a legacy that I left behind,” Von Wafer said. “I don’t want to leave behind what I’ve done. It wasn’t very good. I was young [and] immature. I think I’ve matured. I’ve seen how I was. I don’t want to be remembered like that. Now that I’m older [and] more mature, I want to be left out as a guy that is a great player. I just want everything to be good that’s said about me. Right now, I don’t think there will be a lot of good things said about me other than I’m talented. But off the court, I think it will be a lot of issues.”

Four months after his final game with Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico, the Florida State product voiced his thoughts on Twitter.

Von Wafer was seeking another opportunity. While Wafer thought the opportunity may never come, it happened. On Nov. 25, 2016, the Delaware 87ers claimed the NBA veteran off waivers.

“I was happy. I was just happy,” Wafer said. “I thought it was just one of the best days of my life when I received that call because when I was on the outside looking in, it didn’t look like I was ever going to get that call. So when I got it, it just felt good to get it.”

Wafer received quality minutes during his time in Delaware, but only played a handful amount of games with the Sevens. 15 days after his debut in Delaware, he was traded to the Westchester Knicks.

Since arriving in Westchester on Dec. 14, Wafer has excelled in his role off the bench. He’s carved out a role as the Knicks’ sixth man and leads the team in scoring.

Not only is Wafer helping lead the No. 2 3-point shooting team, but he’s one of the most efficient 3-point shooters in the NBA D-League. The Florida State product is shooting 46.7 percent from beyond the arc, which is fifth in the league (minimum: 15 games).

In the past few months, his production has continued to rise. Wafer recently had a stretch of games where he scored in double-figures in six consecutive games. As the NBA D-League Showcase neared, he kicked his game to another level.

The Florida State product had one of his best games of the season in the Knicks’ first game of the D-League Showcase. Not only did he have an efficient shooting game, as he shot 9-of-14 from the field and 3-of-3 from 3-point range, but he was distributing the ball well and was getting it done on the defensive end.

“It’s crazy because I don’t even have my legs under me because I had to get back used to this style of basketball,” Wafer said. “I’m back in China where I’m the man. I’m shooting the ball every time. I had to find my rhythm [and] find my spots. I’m just doing that. I’m just trying to get better. Just trying to get back in a rhythm more how things go here; how the basketball is played here.”

In the first game of the NBA D-League Showcase, Von Wafer totaled 23 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

But that is nothing new.

Von Wafer is known for his scoring. One of his most successful stints was with the Houston Rockets, where he was able to step in the starting rotation after a strong shooting performance. When Tracy McGrady suffered an injury, his role increased.

In 11 games as a starter, Wafer averaged 16.4 points per game while shooting nearly 50 percent (49.7) from the field. Recently, the 6-foot-5 guard posted 27.8 points and 4.2 assists per game on 39.9 percent shooting from deep with Jiangsu Tong Xi of the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association).

Wafer had bits of success in the NBA and has played in 200 career games in the Association. While he is looking for another opportunity, he knows what he needs to do in order to get back into the NBA.

“I definitely don’t think it’s talent. I don’t think a young team is going to want me,” Wafer said. “I think it’s going to have to be a playoff team that’s on the cusp that maybe needs a burst. And I don’t think it’s about talent. I think it’s about me coming in and not distracting what they have and knocking anything off-balance and being a distraction. I think that’s the biggest thing. I think that’s where I have to kind of solidify myself as a character guy. One of those type of guys that’s not going to come in and cause a distraction that’s going to help the team.”

Recently, the 6-foot-5 guard posted 27.8 points and 4.2 assists per game on 39.9 percent from deep.

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If Von Wafer had the chance to pen a letter to a young 19-year-old coming out of Florida State, this is what the letter would entail:

“I’ve been waiting for this question a long time,” Wafer said. “I would tell him that you haven’t arrived yet. You haven’t arrived yet. You have a long way to go. You’re nowhere near where you think. When I was young and when I made it, I thought I made it. I thought it was it because I come from; it’s a tough place where I come from, so I thought I made it.”

“I would tell that kid stay hungry,” Wafer continued. “You’re not out the bottom yet. You got to keep working. You’re far from out the bottom yet. Stay humble. Keep God first. Be thankful, man. Be appreciative because a lot of kids dream for this, man, and you’re right here. I would just explain to him the stakes are high and I’d just explain to him.”

Back in July of 2016, the Florida State product was praying for an opportunity. Wafer received that opportunity and hasn’t looked back. His production and efficiency have increased as the season has gone on. While Von Wafer is pleased with his opportunity, his main goal is in sight.