(NOTE: This scouting report was written when Wafer was 20 years old)
Strengths:
Von Wafer is gifted with immense physical tools, including superb athleticism (37' vertical) and NBA-level speed. He
is currently all potential and hasn't proven much of anything yet, but he combines his physical tools with a good skill set
which may aid him in fulfilling his potential in the NBA.
Wafer has a very sweet stroke offensively. He seemingly creates his own shot at ease and can knock them down even from
NBA three point territory. He gets good elevation and has near-perfect mechanics on his shot, and knocks them down with confidence
and poise when he is playing at the top of his game. He has proven to be an equally adept spot-up shooter from three point
range as well, and is capable of making shots of high difficulty. With his first step, speed and athleticism Wafer can also
attack the basket well and finish effectively, and can even posturize and dunk on big men. Wafer is extremely fast in the
open court and like fellow teammate Smush Parker, is capable of producing highlight reels once close to the basket. His best
moment in the NBA was his tip-dunk off a missed free throw by Laron Profit in the waning seconds of a Toronto game. At 210
lbs., Wafer also has a solid frame for the wing positions.
Wafer has also proven to be solid defensively, possessing the lateral quickness to stay with his man and capable of using
his hands to even get steals at times. Wafer played excellent defense in the SPL against players such as Andre Emmett and
Dahntay Jones, clearly NBA-level players, and should have little problem if this area if motivated.
Wafer's skill set--his shooting ability combined with his slashing ability--and all that combined with his athleticism
are the types that tend to make scouts salivate about his potential. Wafer was a McDonald's All-American in college and finished
2nd in the dunk contest behind LeBron James, and if it weren't for a few undoings and a few of his own decisions in his college
career he probably would have been a lotto pick.
Wafer is extremely young (20 years old) and has a lot of time to fulfill his potential. He is also extremely polite and
seems willing to improve his game.
Weaknesses:
A lot of Wafer's problems are mentally. He nearly quit basketball after high school and at times during the regular season,
he tended to get down on himself. His play exponentially got worse at times and he didn't shoot well with the Lakers, only
making 16% of his shots and 12% from threes (although with little playing time). Confidence may be an issue, because when
his shot abandons him, the rest of his game does as well, and he may make little impact. This presented itself when Kirk Snyder
made Wafer into a highlight reel with an explosive dunk in transition. If he can get over that huge hurdle (in his case) he
can definitely become a solid basketball player.
Wafer is, in Phil Jackson's words, a "wild horse" and tends to jack up shots above anything else. Wafer definitely has
some court vision, but he has a scoring mentality and has a bit of a selfish approach to the game. His decision-making especially
offensively may come into play if he keeps using this approach. Wafer's mid-range game remains to be seen and he doesn't use
it much at all; he probably needs to improve, or take more shots, from this area to diversify his offensive game. Wafer also
has a tendency to fade away in his shot, or make his shots harder than they should be, although he is just so talented he
could make those shots. He can also take too many jumpshots at times rather than attack the basket.
Wafer shows little ability to play the game at intermediate speeds. Wafer likes to fire away at will and shows little
ability of playing within the Triangle offense, or even grasping the Triangle whatsoever. When he does try to play within
the offense he is very ineffective, explaining why he can shoot poorly from the field at times. He needs to play his style
of game and seems to be a "hot-cold" type player.
Wafer's basketball IQ and inability to adjust are also considerable weaknesses. Wafer doesn't seem to show very much
intangibles, not hustling or sacrificing his body for the team, rather just living off his natural talents and physical tools
to get things done (such as in shooting). There have been many cases before him, talented players both in terms of skill set
and in physical tools, who didn't stay long in the league because of their inability to conform and adjust to team situations.
Wafer may need to change his mentality or make some sacrifices in his game to help the team and himself.
Wafer can be an off defensively at times and thus lose his man when his mind is not up to the task.
Wafer has been known as a cancer in Florida State's locker room and had some run-ins with his former Florida State coach
Leonard Hamilton. He may have a hothead reputation at times and may not be entirely receptive to coaching, rather focusing
on his own game and improving it by his own accord. At 6'5" Wafer only has average height for the wing positions.
