Tony Gaffney
Encyclopedia
Anthony Joseph Gaffney Jr. (born November 14, 1984 in Boston
) is an American
professional basketball player. He played college basketball
at the University of Massachusetts
. During the 2008–2009 season, he received numerous honors from the Atlantic 10 Conference including Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defensive Team, and Second Team all conference. He was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers
summer league team during the 2009 pre-season and an inactive member of the Boston Celtics
during their playoff run in 2010.
. He played four years of high school basketball at Somerset High School in Somerset, Massachusetts
. In his senior season, Gaffney helped turn a 2–20 Raiders team into the 21–4 Massachusetts Division 2 South Sectional Champions. That season Gaffney averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 11 blocks a game. He was rewarded for his strong play in his senior season with the title of the Eastern Athletic Conference
Most Valuable Player. After his senior season, Gaffney played a prep season at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Mount Hermon, Massachusetts. He averaged 13 points a game along with 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks.
. He averaged 15.6 minutes, 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1 assist and 0.8 blocks a game. During the 2005–06 season, Gaffney averaged 17 minutes a game, 4.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.5 blocks. After the season Gaffney transferred to the University of Massachusetts
. NCAA transfer rules forced him to sit out the 2006–07 season. He returned in 2007–08 to play thirty-three games with eight starts while averaging 20 minutes, 3.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.7 blocks a game.
Gaffney dominated in his senior season at UMass. In thirty games in 2008–09 he averaged 33.9 minutes, 11.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2 steals, and 3.8 blocks. Gaffney's 3.8 blocks a game ranked him third in the nation in 2008–09. He is also the first person since Shelden Williams
to have more than 100 blocks and 50 steals in one season. Gaffney's strong defensive play earned him the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year award, a spot on the A-10 All-Defensive Team, and a spot on the A-10 Second Team.
for the 2009 NBA Draft. After going undrafted, Gaffney joined the 2009 Lakers Las Vegas Summer League team. Thanks to his strong play in Las Vegas, Gaffney was invited to the 2009–10 Los Angeles Lakers
training camp. He was the final player waived (on October 25, 2009) to reach the opening day roster.
Gaffney then played for the Hapoel Gilboa Galil Elyon
club in Israel
, but, after injuring his foot, returned to the United States for treatment.
On April 13, 2010, Gaffney signed a contract with the Boston Celtics for the rest of the regular season and playoffs, and a non-guaranteed contract for the 2010–2011 season. Gaffney was waived on October 1, 2010.
In October 2010, he signed with Türk Telekom B.K.
in Turkey
, but left the team two months later.
On January 5th, 2011 it was reported that Gaffney was signed by the Utah Flash of the NBDL. Flash officials said they expect him to contribute right away, and he produced 11.5 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game in being named NBDL All-Defensive First Team and honorable mention All-League.
In July 2011 Gaffney was signed by Telekom Baskets Bonn
, BBL Germany.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball player. He played college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at the University of Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
. During the 2008–2009 season, he received numerous honors from the Atlantic 10 Conference including Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defensive Team, and Second Team all conference. He was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
summer league team during the 2009 pre-season and an inactive member of the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
during their playoff run in 2010.
Early life and High School
Gaffney was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 14, 1984, and grew up in Berkley, MassachusettsBerkley, Massachusetts
Berkley is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,749 at the 2000 census, making it the least populated town in the county.-Geography:...
. He played four years of high school basketball at Somerset High School in Somerset, Massachusetts
Somerset, Massachusetts
Somerset is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,234 at the 2000 census. It is the birthplace and hometown of Clifford Milburn Holland , the chief engineer and namesake of the Holland Tunnel in New York City....
. In his senior season, Gaffney helped turn a 2–20 Raiders team into the 21–4 Massachusetts Division 2 South Sectional Champions. That season Gaffney averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 11 blocks a game. He was rewarded for his strong play in his senior season with the title of the Eastern Athletic Conference
Eastern Athletic Conference
The Eastern Athletic Conference, or EAC, is a high school sports conference consisting of teams in southeastern Massachusetts. The league is a subset of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. It is noted for having both a competitive conference, as well as one with an eclectic...
Most Valuable Player. After his senior season, Gaffney played a prep season at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Mount Hermon, Massachusetts. He averaged 13 points a game along with 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks.
College
In his 2004–05 freshman season, Gaffney played in all 29 games for Boston UniversityBoston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
. He averaged 15.6 minutes, 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1 assist and 0.8 blocks a game. During the 2005–06 season, Gaffney averaged 17 minutes a game, 4.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.5 blocks. After the season Gaffney transferred to the University of Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
. NCAA transfer rules forced him to sit out the 2006–07 season. He returned in 2007–08 to play thirty-three games with eight starts while averaging 20 minutes, 3.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.7 blocks a game.
Gaffney dominated in his senior season at UMass. In thirty games in 2008–09 he averaged 33.9 minutes, 11.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2 steals, and 3.8 blocks. Gaffney's 3.8 blocks a game ranked him third in the nation in 2008–09. He is also the first person since Shelden Williams
Shelden Williams
Shelden DeMar Williams is an American professional basketball player who last played for the New York Knicks...
to have more than 100 blocks and 50 steals in one season. Gaffney's strong defensive play earned him the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year award, a spot on the A-10 All-Defensive Team, and a spot on the A-10 Second Team.
Pro career
Gaffney trained at the IMG Basketball Academy with coach David ThorpeDavid Thorpe
David Thorpe may refer to:* David Thorpe , English artist* David Thorpe, American music writer, satirist, and columnist for Something Awful and the Boston Phoenix* David Thorpe , Australian rules footballer...
for the 2009 NBA Draft. After going undrafted, Gaffney joined the 2009 Lakers Las Vegas Summer League team. Thanks to his strong play in Las Vegas, Gaffney was invited to the 2009–10 Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
training camp. He was the final player waived (on October 25, 2009) to reach the opening day roster.
Gaffney then played for the Hapoel Gilboa Galil Elyon
Hapoel Gilboa Galil Elyon
Hapoel Gilboa Galil is a professional basketball club that is based in north-east Israel. The club plays its home domestic league games in a 2,500-seat stadium in Gan Ner, and is coached by Lior Liubin.-History:...
club in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, but, after injuring his foot, returned to the United States for treatment.
On April 13, 2010, Gaffney signed a contract with the Boston Celtics for the rest of the regular season and playoffs, and a non-guaranteed contract for the 2010–2011 season. Gaffney was waived on October 1, 2010.
In October 2010, he signed with Türk Telekom B.K.
Türk Telekom B.K.
Türk Telekom Basketbol Kulübü is a professional basketball club of based in Ankara, Turkey. It is branch of the Türk Telekom GSK. Their home arena is the Ankara Arena with a capacity of 10,400 seats which was opened in April 2010...
in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, but left the team two months later.
On January 5th, 2011 it was reported that Gaffney was signed by the Utah Flash of the NBDL. Flash officials said they expect him to contribute right away, and he produced 11.5 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game in being named NBDL All-Defensive First Team and honorable mention All-League.
In July 2011 Gaffney was signed by Telekom Baskets Bonn
Telekom Baskets Bonn
Telekom Baskets Bonn is a professional basketball club that is based in Bonn, Germany. The club plays in the German Basketball League, which is the highest level pro basketball league in Germany. The club's sponsor is the German company Deutsche Telekom, a big telephone and internet company, which...
, BBL Germany.