Avi Schafer

Avi Koki Schafer (シェーファーアヴィ幸樹, Shēfā Avi Kōki, born 28 January 1998) is a Japanese professional basketball player for SeaHorses Mikawa of the B.League. He played college basketball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Schafer has been a member of the Japan national basketball team.

Avi Schafer
Schafer with the Shiga Lakestars in 2019
No. 32 – SeaHorses Mikawa
PositionPower forward / center
LeagueB.League
Personal information
Born (1998-01-28) 28 January 1998
Suita, Osaka, Japan
NationalityJapanese / American
Listed height206 cm (6 ft 9 in)
Listed weight106 kg (234 lb)
Career information
High school
College
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2019Alvark Tokyo
2019–2020Shiga Lakestars
2020–presentSeaHorses Mikawa
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Japan
William Jones Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Taiwan Team
FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship
Silver medal – second place 2016 Tehran Team

Early life

Schafer was born in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, to a Japanese mother, Sayuki, and an American father, Douglas. He initially played soccer before switching to basketball in tenth grade, at the age of 16.[1][2][3]

High school career

Schafer attended Kobe University Secondary School in Higashinada and St. Mary's International School in Tokyo.[4][5] He played club basketball with Tokyo Samurai, a recognized American Amateur Athletic Union based in Japan. Schafer, who initially played the sport for fun, cited that playing with the club opened the door to many basketball opportunities such as joining the national team, playing in NCAA Division I and pursuing a professional career.[2][6]

After moving to the United States, Schafer attended prep school Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and played varsity basketball for the Bobcats during his senior year. He helped the team finish the season with a 33–0 record and win the national prep school championship and the NEPSAC class AAA title.[1][7]

College career

Schafer attended Georgia Tech and played for the Yellow Jackets. He made his collegiate debut on 22 November 2017, against the UTRGV Vaqueros.[8] As a freshman, Schafer totaled two rebounds and three minutes over four games.[8][9] As a sophomore, he appeared in two games, garnering a total of two rebounds and three minutes,[9][10] before leaving Georgia Tech in the fall of 2018 to play professional basketball in Japan.[1][11]

Professional career

Alvark Tokyo (2018–2019)

On 19 December 2018, Schafer signed with Alvark Tokyo of the B.League, joining the team in the middle of the season.[11][12] He made his professional debut on 22 December, against the Yokohama B-Corsairs, scoring two points and grabbing one rebound across three minutes of action.[13][14][15] Tokyo went on to win the 2019 B.League championship title after defeating the Chiba Jets Funabashi.[16] For the season, Schafer averaged 1.2 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.1 assists in 3.6 minutes over 14 games.[17]

On 24 May 2019, Tokyo extended Schafer’s contract for another season.[18]

Shiga Lakestars (2019–2020)

On 29 July 2019, Shiga Lakestars announced they have acquired Schafer from Alvark Tokyo via loan transfer.[19][20] On 2 December, Schafer earned his first B.League All-Star selection. He was also named as one of the participants in the dunk contest.[21] On 14 March 2020, he logged his first career double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds, both season-highs, in a loss against his former team.[22][23] Schafer appeared in 41 games, including 9 starts, averaging 4.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 15.2 minutes per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field.[17] Following his performance, he was named to the B.League Best Five Rookies.[24][25]

SeaHorses Mikawa (2020–present)

On 27 May 2020, Schafer signed a one-year deal with SeaHorses Mikawa.[26] On 14 December, he was named to the B.League All-Star list, making it his second consecutive appearance.[27] On 24 April 2021, Schafer logged a season-high 24 points in a 106–102 overtime loss to Shimane Susanoo Magic.[28][29] On 9 May, he logged a double-double with 19 points and a season-high 19 rebounds in a win over Osaka Evessa.[28][30] Schafer started and played in all 55 games, averaging 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from three.[17]

On 14 June 2021, Mikawa extended Schafer’s contract for another season.[31]

National team career

Junior national team

Schafer made his international debut when he was selected to be a part of the Japanese squad that competed at the 2016 FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship, where he helped the team win the silver medal.[32][33] In a game against Indonesia, Schafer logged a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.[34][35] He averaged 4.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.[34][36]

The following year, Schafer suited up for Japan at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, where he averaged 5.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game and was the team's second-leading rebounder.[37][38] Schafer posted a double-double twice, 11 points and 10 rebounds against Mali and 10 points and 10 rebounds versus Korea.[38][39]

Senior national team

Schafer debuted for the senior national team at the 2018 William Jones Cup.[40][41]

A year later, Schafer competed for the Japanese squad at the 2019 William Jones Cup, where he helped the team win the bronze medal.[42] He had 14 points and 8 rebounds in a game against Korea. Schafer averaged 7.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game.[43] The following month, he represented Japan at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where he only played in two games.[44]

Schafer played for Japan at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, where he averaged 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.[45] His tournament highlights included a double-double outing with 11 points and 10 rebounds against Chinese Taipei.[46]

Personal life

Schafer has two brothers. His older brother, Yuki, played soccer at Chapman University.[1]

Schafer's father is Jewish.[47][48]

Career statistics
Legend
  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

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Georgia Tech 40.8.000––.5.0.0.0.0
2018–19 Georgia Tech 201.5–––1.0.0.0.0.0
Career 601.0.000––.7.0.0.0.0

See also

References
  1. "Avi Schafer". Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. 18 June 2018. Archived from the original on 24 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  2. Nagatsuka, Kaz (14 November 2020). "Tokyo Samurai gradually changing face of Japanese basketball". The Japan Times. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  3. "Tokyo Olympics: All the Jewish Athletes to Watch — Detroit Jewish News". The Jewish News (Detroit). 7 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  4. "平成 28 年度バスケットボール男子 U-18 日本代表チーム 日本代表候補選手 第 28 回アルバート・シュバイツァー・トーナメント 参加メンバー表" (PDF). Japan Basketball Association. 25 March 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  5. "平成 28 年度バスケットボール男子 U-18 日本代表チーム 第 24 回 FIBA ASIA U-18 男子バスケットボール選手権大会 日本代表選手 メンバー表" (PDF). Japan Basketball Association. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  6. "Samurai Avi Schafer to Attend Brewster Academy". tokyosamuraibasketball.com. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  7. "Avi Schafer's High School Timeline". MaxPreps. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  8. "Avi Schafer - 2017-18 Season Game Log". ESPN. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  9. "Avi Schafer College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  10. "Avi Schafer - 2018-19 Season Game Log". ESPN. Archived from the original on 18 July 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  11. シェーファーアヴィ幸樹 Avi Schafer [@avi_schafer] (19 December 2018). "I am officially leaving Georgia Tech to play professional in Japan. I'm very thankful for everyone that supported me with my decision. I'm gonna miss every second I spent here with the team but I'm extremely excited for my new life that is waiting for me. Thank you Georgia Tech" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. "シェーファー アヴィ幸樹選手加入のお知らせ". アルバルク東京 (in Japanese). 19 December 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  13. "#21平岩選手、#32シェーファー選手 リーグ登録完了のお知らせ" [#21 Hiraiwa, #32 Schaefer - notice of league registration completion]. アルバルク東京 (Alvark Tokyo) (in Japanese). 21 December 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  14. "シェーファーアヴィ幸樹 | プレイヤースタッツ | 2018-19シーズン ベンチ入りゲーム一覧 | Basketballnavi.DB". stats.basketballnavi.com. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  15. "[B1] 2018/12/22 横浜 vs A東京 | BOX SCORE | Basketballnavi.DB". stats.basketballnavi.com. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  16. "Alvark Tokyo repeat as B.League champions, return to FIBA Asia Champions Cup". FIBA. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  17. "シェーファーアヴィ幸樹 | プレイヤースタッツ | Basketballnavi.DB". stats.basketballnavi.com. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  18. "B.LEAGUE 2019-20シーズン 選手継続契約のお知らせ". アルバルク東京 (in Japanese). 24 May 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  19. "シェーファーアヴィ幸樹選手 期限付き移籍での加入のお知らせ". 滋賀レイクスターズ (in Japanese). 29 July 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  20. "#32 シェーファー アヴィ 幸樹選手 滋賀レイクスターズへ期限付移籍のご報告". アルバルク東京 (in Japanese). 29 July 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  21. "ALL-STAR GAME 2020に#6 シェーファーアヴィ幸樹選手が選出". 滋賀レイクスターズ (in Japanese). 2 December 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  22. "シェーファーアヴィ幸樹 | プレイヤースタッツ | 2019-20シーズン ベンチ入りゲーム一覧 | Basketballnavi.DB". stats.basketballnavi.com. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  23. "[B1] 2020/03/14 滋賀 vs A東京 | BOX SCORE | Basketballnavi.DB". stats.basketballnavi.com. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  24. "【公式】B.LEAGUE AWARD SHOW 2019-20 特設サイト | B.LEAGUE（Bリーグ）". B.League (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  25. "「B.LEAGUE AWARD SHOW 2019-20」受賞者発表 | バスケ情報ならバスナビ". basketballnavi.com (in Japanese). 11 May 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  26. "選手加入のお知らせ(シェーファー アヴィ幸樹 選手)". シーホース三河 (in Japanese). 27 May 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  27. "#14金丸晃輔選手 #32シェーファーアヴィ幸樹選手｢B.LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME 2021 IN MITO｣選出のお知らせ". シーホース三河 (in Japanese). 14 December 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  28. "シェーファーアヴィ幸樹 | プレイヤースタッツ | 2020-21シーズン ベンチ入りゲーム一覧 | Basketballnavi.DB". stats.basketballnavi.com. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  29. "[B1] 2021/04/24 三河 vs 島根 | BOX SCORE | Basketballnavi.DB". stats.basketballnavi.com. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  30. "[B1] 2021/05/09 三河 vs 大阪 | BOX SCORE | Basketballnavi.DB". stats.basketballnavi.com. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  31. "選手契約継続のお知らせ(#32シェーファーアヴィ幸樹選手)". シーホース三河 (in Japanese). 14 June 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  32. "Final standings of the FIBA Asia U18 Championship 2016". FIBA. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  33. "Schedule & results | 2016 FIBA Asia U19 Championship | ARCHIVE.FIBA.COM". FIBA. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  34. "Avi Koki Schafer profile, FIBA Asia U18 Championship 2016". FIBA. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  35. "Avi Koki SCHAFER at the FIBA Asia U18 Championship 2016". FIBA. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  36. "Japan at the FIBA Asia U18 Championship 2016". FIBA. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  37. "Japan at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017". FIBA. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  38. "Avi Koki Schafer profile, FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017". FIBA. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  39. "Avi Koki SCHAFER at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017". FIBA. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  40. "『若手の登竜門』ジョーンズカップが今日開幕、過密日程だが国際経験を積む機会に". バスケット・カウント | Basket Count (in Japanese). 13 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  41. "シェーファーアヴィ幸樹、自身2度目のジョーンズ杯へ意欲「今年は優勝を目指す」". バスケットボールキング (in Japanese). 6 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  42. "Japan - 2019 William Jones Cup". jonescup.meetagile.com. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  43. "Avi Koki SCHAFER - 2019 William Jones Cup". jonescup.meetagile.com. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  44. "Japan at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019". FIBA. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  45. "Japan at the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers". FIBA. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  46. "Avi Koki SCHAFER at the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers". FIBA. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  47. King, JD (30 October 2018). "ACC Preview #12 - Georgia Tech". Duke Basketball Report. Retrieved 18 July 2021. We've long been intrigued by Avi Schafer. How many Jewish basketball players do you find in Japan?
  48. "18 Things to Know About Jewish Japanese Basketball Player Avi Schafer". Alma. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
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