Isaiah Schafer: Baller Interview
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Today we are taking a close look at Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND from Bismarck Century. He is fresh off a great summer of AAU ball with D1 Minnesota. Last high school…
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Continue ReadingToday we are taking a close look at Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND from Bismarck Century. He is fresh off a great summer of AAU ball with D1 Minnesota. Last high school season and this AAU season Scafer showed that he is a deadly offensive threat and an elite shooter. He is a marvelously skilled player and a gym rat that is always working to improve his game. This spring/summer, Isaiah showed that he can compete and produce at the National level. He picked up an offer this summer from SMSU and has gained interest from many more college programs. In the high school season, Schafer helped Century get to the State Tournamnet and he was a huge part of D1 Minnesota finishing 5th on the 3SSB Circuit. Isaiah is only a junior this season but he will be one of the best in ND and likely the best 3-point shooter in the State. Look below for much more information on the sharpshooter from Century.
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND stats
Bismarck Century – 17.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.5 spg, 44.3 3FG%, 11 3-pointers in a single game (All-WDA & All-State)
D1 Minnesota – 15.8 ppg, 3.2 apg, 2.4 rpg, 97.5 FT%, 4.3 3’s per game (5th Place finish on the 3SSB Circuit)
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND (2024) |6’1 G| Bismarck Century/D1 Minnesota
“Isaiah is a gym rat. He is very receptive to coaching. He shoots the ball as well as any player I’ve coached in 30 years. That hasn’t happened by accident. He spends countless hours on his craft. He will be counted on to be a high-level player on both ends of the floor this season.“
-Darin Mattern, Bismarck Century
“Isaiah, like his two brothers, who I coached is never afraid of the moment. He is a gamer and someone who needs attention the second he steps across the half line. He is also tremendous off the bounce, scoring at 3 levels. Another strength of his is his ability to get to the line where he shoots an extremely high percentage. He makes Century extremely difficult to match up with because the second you leave him he will be knocking down a shot.”
-Jordan Wilhelm, Bismarck High
“Isaiah had a phenomenal AAU season. He’s coachable and puts in the time. I really enjoyed coaching him. Isaiah proved to be one of the country’s best shooters this summer. He had several phenomenal performances during 3SSB league play hitting 6,7, and 8 three’s in different games. Schafer understands his role. He let the game come to him and didn’t allow defenses to rush him into taking bad shots. What others often would think was a tough shot for him, our team had the confidence that he could hit anything with a clean look at the rim. Isaiah is committed to his craft. He puts in a lot of work In his free time. He shows his confidence when shooting the ball.“
-Jonathan Williams, D1 Minnesota
Full Interview with Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND
PHD: You played for D1 Minnesota, what States/cities did you all play in this spring/summer?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “This summer traveling was eventful! We went to Chicago, Indianapolis, South Carolina twice, California, and Omaha.”
PHD: What did the Patriots do this off-season to improve as a team?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “This off-season was crucial for us, we competed at a high level in a few team camps in June. We also had open gyms twice a week and I think we pushed each other every night to make each other better.“
PHD: If you ever take a day off, what does a relaxing day look like for Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND ?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “A day off for me is Sunday. It includes sleeping in a little bit and a round of golf in the evening.“
PHD: Do you have any advice for young players that want to play varsity at an early age or want to play on a high-level AAU team as you did?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “It sounds cliche but getting in the gym every day and making yourself better. Focusing on your weakness was a huge part for me the past couple of summers and improving in non-dominant areas. You have to have a mindset that you can do it too and have to be confident in yourself.“
PHD: Who will be the best basketball team in Bismarck this season and why?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “Bismarck century. We haven’t quite made our expectations the past couple of years but the experience we have and the chemistry we have is unmatchable.“
PHD: Where is your “hot spot” or favorite spot to shoot from on the floor?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “The corners or wings on the three-point line are where I like to get, but any midrange is good for me too.“
PHD: How did you work on improving your game this summer?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “Lots of change of pace and getting stronger is the main thing I’ve been working on.“
PHD: What is your mindset going into your junior season of basketball?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “I do not want to leave any regrets behind this year. It’s my last year playing with these seniors and they’ve given me a lot and taught me a lot so I wanna give them all I got.”
PHD: As a basketball player, do you feel like you have any weaknesses and how do you work on improving them?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “I think it’s just the strength and physicality part of it for me. Getting in the weight room has been crucial for me.“
PHD: What are a few highlights/memories from the AAU season with D1 Minnesota?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “Taking 5th in the 3SSB Circuit. That’s a hard thing to do and it’s a great accomplishment. Favorite memories have to be the countless trips and hotel rooms with the Minnesota guys.“
PHD: You shot a very high shooting percentage and knocked down a ton of 3’s last season. What makes you such an elite shooter?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “Finding ways to get open and working on my shot every day is a big part of it. It’s as simple as getting your feet set and letting it fly when you are comfortable.“
PHD: In ND, where is your favorite venue to play basketball and why?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “The Olson gymnasium at Century is gonna be my favorite forever, but you can beat the Civic Center atmosphere.“
PHD: Can you talk about how recruiting has gone for you in the last 6 months?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “It’s been fun. Playing for D1 Minnesota has given me lots of opportunities and getting that SMSU offer early was huge for me. It’s been fun getting to know and talking to schools the past few months.“
PHD: In basketball, what are your long-term goals?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “To play college basketball at a high level and see where it takes me from there.”
PHD: You were All-State as a sophomore, what are your goals for your junior season at Century?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “To win a state championship. We have all the tools to do it so why not? I’m not focused on the individual goals and all that. I wanna get myself and these seniors a State Championship.”
PHD: If the Schafer family played a game of P-I-G, who wins and why?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “It varies but me, obviously! Taylor can still shoot it very well still but golf is his thing now and Ian can have a good day where he’s close but I have to say me.“
PHD: If the Bismarck Century team had a 1on1 tournament, who would win and why?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “It’s hard to say because we can all get rolling at different times but I have to say Ryan Erikson Ryan Erikson 6'10" | C Bismarck Century | 2023 State ND . He’s hard to guard at his size and is unstoppable when he has a one-on-one.“
PHD: As a young basketball player, who did you look up to and why?
Isaiah Schafer Isaiah Schafer 6'1" | CG Bismarck Century | 2024 State ND : “I look up to my brothers a lot but a pro player I look up to is Trae young. It’s amazing what he can do at his size in the pros.”