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Samuel · 02-21-2008, 01:22 PM

A Nuggets fan does some homework on Wafer.

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(Boulder-CO) I have been doing some homework on who exactly Vakeaton Quamar Wafer is and have learned quite a few things. Von is 6’5” and 195 pounds of sharp-shooting guard and Von, as he liked to be called, actually has another nickname. Wafer’s Wikipedia page lists, “Nilla”, as an alternate moniker. Mmmm, good stuff.

I also dug up some pretty impressive statistics from Von’s high school days. “Nilla” averaged 32 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists his junior season while in Lisbon, La playing for Pineview High School. His senior year, he transferred to Heritage Christian Academy in Cleveland, Texas where he averaged 26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 4 blocks per game. And for his achievements on the basketball court, Wafer earned All-America third-team honors from USA Today Newspaper following his senior season. Von also was named a McDonalds All-American and scored 29 points on 13 of 20 shooting from the field and had 8 rebounds. He matched up well with King James for much of the contest and finished second to James in the slam dunk contest.

He then played two years of college hoop at Florida State University before becoming an early entry in the 2005 NBA Draft. His freshman year at FSU Wafer averaged 7.9 points in 17.5 minutes a game. He ranked third among all ACC freshmen with 43 three-point field goals made and scored in double figures 12 times. As a sophomore, he led the team in scoring with an average of 12.5 points per game 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. When taking all these things into consideration the thing that you have to keep in mind is that Wafer played on a Seminole team that was one of the weaker programs in the always dominant Atlantic Coast Conference.

Many people at this point in Wafer’s career thought it was a mistake to enter the draft early and some experts didn’t expect him to be drafted at all. In fact, during one of the only pre-draft workouts he could arrange with the Phoenix Suns, Wafer reportedly was frustrated by the physical play from Jan Jagla and responded by swinging an intentional elbow to Jagla’s nose, walked off the court, and ended the workout at that point. Things at this point were not looking good for Wafer’s NBA chances.

However, Von proved all the pessimists wrong by becoming the 39th overall pick of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2005 NBA Draft. He was later waived, but then did some serious work in the NBDL while playing for the Colorado 14ers. Wafer finished last season as the D-League’s second overall highest scorer at a pitch of 21 points a night while grabbing 2.9 rebounds and dishing 3.3 assists.

Fast forward to this summer’s Las Vegas NBA Summer League.

Von “Nilla” Wafer led the Nuggets in scoring with averages of 24.2 points, three assists, and 1.9 rebounds while coming in third overall in the mid-summer classic's scoring race. Not to mention he capped off his summer showcase with a record-tying 42 points against the New York Knicks in only a mere 26 minutes of playing time.

I really like the potential future this young baller has with the Denver Nuggets. He is exactly what the Nuggets are looking for and would surely be a steal financially. He has proven at nearly every level of basketball that he can flat-out shoot the rock and you have to respect a man who continues to put in the hard work to make his NBA dreams a reality.

So start the campaign.

Von “Nilla” Wafer for a roster spot in 2007!

Samuel · 02-21-2008, 01:26 PM

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Originally Posted by Sambonius

Dude is borderline NBA talent, nothing to get excited about. Although, it could foreshadow the eventual end of Jarrett Jack.

True, though there have been quite a few D-League talents to make significant contributions to NBA teams.

And given Portland's need for a SG right now, he could come in handy. You never know...

**nikolokolus** · 02-21-2008, 01:28 PM

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Originally Posted by mediocre man

All I know about this kid is that all of the draft sites said he had attitude problems. I'm sure bouncing around and now playing for your 4th team will adjust an attitude though

Wasn't that the tag-line on Darius? (a real question, not being sarcastic)

BenDavis503 · 02-21-2008, 01:28 PM

who the hell is Von Wafer?!?!??!?!

dwood615 · 02-21-2008, 01:30 PM

he will see the court the same amount of time that green did

Utherhimo · 02-21-2008, 01:31 PM

i heard of von wafer before that

dwood615 · 02-21-2008, 01:33 PM

what are the nugget fans thinkin about this???

Samuel · 02-21-2008, 01:35 PM

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Originally Posted by nikolokolus

Wasn't that the tag-line on Darius? (a real question, not being sarcastic)

Difference being, Wafer has actually been quite successful on a team since his departure from HS/College.

**nikolokolus** · 02-21-2008, 01:43 PM

I can't believe what I'm about to write ...

It appears the guy has an attitude and he throws elbows -- maybe that's exactly what this team needs?

Reep · 02-21-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuel

True, though there have been quite a few D-League talents to make significant contributions to NBA teams.

And given Portland's need for a SG right now, he could come in handy. You never know...

There were two guys that stood out to me this summer league. One was Wafer, the other was Strawberry. DJ has done a solid job in Phoenix. I think Wafer will surprise some people. Certainly he has more potential to help the team than Green. I would not be surprised at all to see him eat up some of Jack's minutes.

Wafer came out too early and suffered because of it. He has matured coming into this year. The only thing I can't figure out is why Denver gives up on him for Green.

**nikolokolus** · 02-21-2008, 01:57 PM

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Originally Posted by Reep

Wafer came out too early and suffered because of it. He has matured coming into this year. The only thing I can't figure out is why Denver gives up on him for Green.

Probably because they've got two 32+ year old PG's in the form of Chucky Atkins, and Anthony Carter.

Green is a low risk acquisition and clears a SG logjam Denver had with AI, and JR. Smith logging time ahead of him (not even including Diawara).

ProZach · 02-21-2008, 02:00 PM

I think this is huge for us. Wafer will really sit on the end of the bench better than Green did. Can't wait to see it!

BlazerCaravan · 02-21-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProZach

I think this is huge for us. Wafer will really sit on the end of the bench better than Green did. Can't wait to see it!

Heh. I bet Von will get some burn. With Jones out, he's a warm body who can shoot decently from long range and fill a need for a month. He may not last until November 1, 2008, but he'll fill a need Taurean couldn't.

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