Team 2012-13: ALBA Berlin (Germany-BBL)
Career: ALBA Berlin (Germany-BBL, 2002-04); Giessen46ers (Germany-BBL, 2004-05); Nurnberg (Germany-BBL, 2005-06); Oldenburg (Germany-BBL 2006-07); Ludwigsburg (Germany-BBL, 2007-08); Giessen 46ers (Germany-BBL, 2008-09); New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig (Germany-BBL, 2009-10); Turk Telekom Ankara (Turkey-TBL, 2010-11); ALBA Berlin (Germany-BBL, 2011-13)
A great interviewee due to his open mindedness, Schaffartzik has now become one of the few established players on a youthful Germany squad. Having needed some time to break through from a talent to a real star, the combo-guard is now expected to bring his usual creativity on offence while leading the way for his teammates. Never afraid to take a big shot, Schaffartzik, who successfully fought cancer as a teenager, can score both from the perimeter and inside the arch. While seldom considered a pass-first point guard, he can play both guard spots, if coach Menz decides to go with a shorter line-up. On defence he is able to put pressure on opposing ball-handlers and has been around long enough to understand defensive rotations and automatisms, making up for his lack of height. His good performances in the Euroleague, leading Alba Berlin into the Top 16 with 6.2 points and 2.6 assists-per-game, underline his status as a main actor in an inexperienced Germany cast. Left ALBA Berlin this summer to join former national team coach Svetislav Pesic at Bayern Munich.
