Ex-NBA player hits Twitter, begs teams to give him one more chance
It’s been four years since Von Wafer last played in the NBA, and, from the sound of it, that’s quite long enough for him, thanks.
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The 31-year-old shooting guard, a former McDonald’s All-American and second-round draft pick out of Florida State, last saw an NBA court with the Orlando Magic in May of 2012. He’s spent the last four years bouncing around, with stints in China, Russia, Puerto Rico and the D-League, and he’s looking for one more chance to stick in the league … and, evidently, he’s not too proud to beg for it on Twitter:
wish I had this mentality at a young age. I don't care how talented you are if ur mind is not in the rt place talent can only go so far
— von wafer (@vonwafer13) July 26, 2016
I pray for another opportunity man. It may never come. Take that as a lesson make the most of everything u are given. Nothing is promised
— von wafer (@vonwafer13) July 26, 2016
Please kids don't be like me. Wasted so much God givin talented over the years but that's cool we moving forward and doing it Rt now.
— von wafer (@vonwafer13) July 26, 2016
Do not stress about what you can't control. That energy you are wasting on that could have gone towards an even bigger blessing
— von wafer (@vonwafer13) July 26, 2016
I'm not ashamed to get on social media and beg for an opportunity back in the nba. I don't care about nothing just give me an opportunity
— von wafer (@vonwafer13) July 26, 2016
Not about ???????? either because I'm str8 on That end. my legacy on tha line man. I'm not goin out like that. There will only be 1 Von wafer
— von wafer (@vonwafer13) July 26, 2016
if I don't get a call by the 15th. I'm going to start going to nba facilities and asking what do I need to do just need a opportunity.
— von wafer (@vonwafer13) July 26, 2016
Just showing up and hoping for the best seems like a strategy with a low likelihood of success, but then, we saw it work out for your man Joe Anderson last year. Well, kind of — after standing outside the Houston Texans’ facility in November 2015, the former Chicago Bears wide receiver signed to the New York Jets’ practice squad the following month. (Ex-Division III receiver Abiola Aborishade has been standing outside the New England Patriots’ facility since April to try to make the same come-up, but thus far to no avail.)
Wafer — a 6-foot-5 swingman who played for seven NBA teams over the course of six seasons and only cracked 1,000 minutes played one time, for the 2008-09 Houston Rockets — surely knows his open call will be met with snickers and derision in some quarters. After all, younger players whose resumes don’t include locker-room fist-fights, on-court lowlights and hurled chairs can probably shoot 42 percent from the field and 32 percent from 3-point land for a minimum salary and half the headaches.
But after spending four years abroad, hitting 30 and facing athletic mortality, Wafer claims to be a changed man, one desperate for one last shot at making good on his gifts:
One more chance please. Who ever gives me that opportunity won't be sorry put that on my baby put that on my soul
— von wafer (@vonwafer13) July 25, 2016
I've seen the dark side. Never goin back to that just wait world what I have to show you.
— von wafer (@vonwafer13) July 25, 2016
My vibe different Ima win hate that or love that wasted 30 years I see clearly it's my time now. Feels good to be able to understand
— von wafer (@vonwafer13) July 25, 2016
they don't love this like I do. They don't want this bad as I do. They haven't been through what I've been through.
— von wafer (@vonwafer13) July 27, 2016
My story far from finished God showed me the ending I can see it clearly pointing to the sky tears flowing final score I'm winning.
— von wafer (@vonwafer13) July 27, 2016
It’ll be interesting to see if any team looking for training camp bodies takes a flyer on Wafer. If nothing else, his naked social-media pleading gotten a bit of attention; maybe that’s just the increase in visibility he needs to re-open the NBA door a crack. From there, it’ll be up to him to back up his words with action.
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Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
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