In My Words | Sam Shafer
12/13/2018 | 10:11:00 | Men's Basketball
It's time to start the second part of my dream.Â
My first dream was to play Division I basketball. I moved to Frankfort, Ill., when I was two years old. I grew up there with my older brother, Max, and younger sister, Ava. I fell in love with basketball when I was in second grade, playing on the Windy City Magic with Max, who now plays football at the University of Indianapolis. All those kids were older, bigger and better than me, but my dad kept reminding me to focus on improvement ahead of results. He kept me from getting frustrated, and playing with those older guys played a big part in me getting better.Â
My freshman year, I texted all my friends my dream: I am going to play Division I basketball. All of them said I couldn't do it. They were apologizing to me for my dream, but I knew how hard I was working. I've always loved animals. I had a chameleon, fish, a dog and lizards growing up, and animals have always interested me. I made a deal with my parents: If I get a DI offer, will you buy me a saltwater aquarium?Â
John Fleming, a trainer in Chicago, saw my potential. I worked with him every single day at an outdoor court in Washington Park. He pushed me to become the best player I could be, and he's the reason I'm here today.Â
My game started to explode, and just like that, I was being recruited by SIU, Loyola, UT Martin, Ohio, Miami of Ohio, South Dakota, Drake, and more. My friends started apologizing to me again—this time for not believing in me.Â
I didn't know anything about SIU, but the coaches stood out from the very beginning. I got a voicemail from Coach Autry, and he made me feel great about the Salukis right away. All of the coaches stood out, just their attitudes toward the program. They didn't take themselves too seriously, and they had a lot of interest in me. The relationship kept developing, and I was playing better and better.Â
I took my first visit on May 1 of my junior year. I remember having a great conversation in Coach Hinson's office. Out of nowhere, he said they were offering me a scholarship. That's a feeling I will never forget. That was my first offer, and my dream was going to come true. I didn't commit right away, but I think I knew in the back of my head that I was going to be a Saluki. I came back and saw the campus that summer, and it was incredible. By August, several other schools were on the verge of offering, but I was ready to make it official: I was coming to SIU.Â
I knew this team was good from watching them on TV last year, but they're even better in person. One of my first scrimmages, I threw a little lob pass, like I did all the time in high school, and Kavion came out of nowhere and stole it way above the rim. It was a wake-up call. The athleticism is incredible, but I'm starting to get used to it.Â
Our team has great chemistry. I met Darius at the Elite Camp last summer, and we got along right away. They put us on the same team, and we destroyed everyone. We knew we could be great together. When I got here, our freshman class gelled quickly, and the older guys have been great to us. They've been together for a couple years now, and they're so motivating to the younger players. I'm so grateful to be a part of it.Â
We really came together on the Cuba trip. I didn't know much about Cuba, but my dad told me it was a moment I would never forget. I'll be honest—it took a little bit to get used to not having Wifi. The salsa dancing lessons were really funny. Darius and I had a great time watching Amadou dance. He's one of the worst dancers I've ever seen. Sorry, Am, but it's true.Â
Of course, the games were memorable, but not just playing—we gave them our jerseys; and after one game, a kid asked for my ankle braces. It was humbling that someone would ask for that. We take things for granted here in the U.S. The memories we made hanging out together in a country we weren't familiar with will benefit us this season.Â
Now it's time for the second part of my dream. We know we have the talent to win a Missouri Valley Conference championship this season. And for us young guys, we have the talent to keep this thing going for years down the road.Â
And Mom and Dad, I'm still holding you to that saltwater aquarium.Â
Go Dawgs,
Sam.
