Recruiting Report: Nick Schaefer (2019)
St. Cloud Cathedral shooter Nick Schaefer was nearly a 40 percent three point shooter for his state tournament team last year. Schaefer has continued to shoot at a high level for the Minnesota Comets this spring.
“My Comets K team has had a very successful spring so far,” Nick said. “We’ve played well despite not being at full strength all season. We’ve had multiple players with serious injuries (special shout out to Michael Lindquist, who was in a very serious car accident…we really miss you), proms, and players participating in their high school spring sports.
“We’ve already won 20 games and I think we’ll have a lot more success the rest of the AAU season.”
In addition to Lindquist, Comets K lost maybe their top guy in Cade Goggleye to an ankle injury and they’ve had guys miss many games for spring high school sports/activities. Despite all of that Comets K is a 20 game winner and has only lost seven games in six events.
“This summer, our team would like to continue playing well in our final four tournaments (St. Cloud, then the NY2LA tournament in Milwaukee, followed by the D1 Summer Showcase, before finishing strong at the Bigfoot Classic in Las Vegas),” Nick said. “Although we are not a very tall team, I feel we can compete with most because of our team defense and because of the way we can all shoot the ball”
Schaefer’s shooting ability has led to several college programs making contact. Everyone needs shooters.
“I’ve heard from several college coaches including The University of Chicago, several from the MIAC and a few from the NSIC,” Nick said. “I’ve been invited to several camps. I’m planning to workout a lot with my Cathedral teammates and continue my lifting program to prepared for a busy July with my Comets team.
“These are the schools who have contacted me this week: University of Chicago, St. John’s, Bethany Lutheran, Concordia University, Macalester College ,Saint Mary’s, Gustavus, Augsburg, and St. Scholastica. I have a visit scheduled with Coach McKenzie at St. John’s next week.”
Nick shot about 39.5 percent from the arc this year and 44 percent overall (55 percent of Nick’s shots were at the arc). Nick put up 10.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and three assists a game as a junior playing with Michael Schaefer (Nick’s brother who is going to Augustana) and Mitchell Plombon (Winona State). Nick will have a bigger role role next year with the seniors moved on.
“We lost a number of seniors, including our two bigs. I expect us to go undefeated again in the Granite Ridge Conference. I also expect us to be playing our best basketball again next March with a chance to return to the State tournament for a third straight year.”
As far himself Nick is focused on getting ready to have more of the responsibility game to game.
“Shooting and defending are my strength areas, so my major focus this spring/summer has been improving my handles and finishing in the lane with contact,” Nick said.