Billy Schaeffer Being Honored
- Thread starter paultzman
- Start date
Ray Morgan
Well-known member
What a great player. Wish we could find another with his sweet shooting touch.
jerseyshorejohnny
Well-known member
No one better. It's a privilege for me to call him a friend.
Just finished reading the book Dr. J and Julius said Billy could have played in the NBA but he got lost in the shuffle when the 7 remaining ABA teams got only 4 franchises absorbed into the NBA. Porobably my all-time favorite SJU player and remains leader in scoring average for a season at 24.7. Man could he shoot.
While I was at my home in Florida this past winter, I had the opportunity to speak to Bill Schaefer at some length via telephone regarding the Florida alumnus. He was wonderful person to converse with regarding the Red & White club, and other issues pertains to SJU! Bill was my contemporary!
beast of the east
Active member
Here's a great story Billy Schaeffer told me a few years ago. I like Schaeffer a lot. I know his HS coach well, and whenever I see him, he is candid in his assessment of a game or critique of the team. Good man.
I told Schaeffer that I became a St. John's fan during his stellar senior season. I think he not only averaged 24 ppg, but shot over 60% from the field. He explained that Mel Davis went down early with a knew injury - out for the season - and Coach said he needed someone to step up and take more shots. Schaeffer smiles and mimics raising his hand, and said "I was happy to volunteer."
I told him I remembered that he was drafted by the Laker and the Nets, and asked why he chose the Nets. He's a funny guy. He says, "My wife says I am always a day late and a dollar short." Schaeffer continues, and says he was drafted by the Lakers, and couldn't understand why they took him since they had a guy, Jimmy MacMillan from Columbia, who was a carbon copy of his game and very good NBAer. So Schaeffer figured he wouldn't see the light of day with LA, so he signs with the Nets. The same day he learned why the Lakers drafted him when they traded MacMillian to Buffalo. So Schaeffer continues, "So that's why they drafted me. That was my chance to play in the NBA".
I would think if I had an all time team of all the SJU players I've actually seen play, there would be a spot on my squad for Schaeffer. Plus he was a local guy who played for Holy Cross HS's great city championship team that featured Schaeffer, Kevin Stacom, George Groome, and maybe Richie Lyons.
I told Schaeffer that I became a St. John's fan during his stellar senior season. I think he not only averaged 24 ppg, but shot over 60% from the field. He explained that Mel Davis went down early with a knew injury - out for the season - and Coach said he needed someone to step up and take more shots. Schaeffer smiles and mimics raising his hand, and said "I was happy to volunteer."
I told him I remembered that he was drafted by the Laker and the Nets, and asked why he chose the Nets. He's a funny guy. He says, "My wife says I am always a day late and a dollar short." Schaeffer continues, and says he was drafted by the Lakers, and couldn't understand why they took him since they had a guy, Jimmy MacMillan from Columbia, who was a carbon copy of his game and very good NBAer. So Schaeffer figured he wouldn't see the light of day with LA, so he signs with the Nets. The same day he learned why the Lakers drafted him when they traded MacMillian to Buffalo. So Schaeffer continues, "So that's why they drafted me. That was my chance to play in the NBA".
I would think if I had an all time team of all the SJU players I've actually seen play, there would be a spot on my squad for Schaeffer. Plus he was a local guy who played for Holy Cross HS's great city championship team that featured Schaeffer, Kevin Stacom, George Groome, and maybe Richie Lyons.