| Carl Shaeffer | |
| Position: | Forward |
| Number: | 18 |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 3 |
| Weight Lb: | 185 |
| Birth Date: | 25 October 1924 |
| Birth Place: | Delphi, Indiana |
| Death Date: | October 25, 1974 (aged 50) |
| Death Place: | Delphi, Indiana |
| Nationality: | American |
| High School: | Delphi (Delphi, Indiana) |
| Draft Year: | 1949 |
| Years1: | 1949–1950 |
| Team1: | Indianapolis Olympians |
| Letter: | s |
| Bbr: | shaefca01 |
Carl Edgel Shaeffer (October 25, 1924 – October 25, 1974) was an American professional basketball player. He played for the Indianapolis Olympians in the National Basketball Association between 1949–50 and 1950–51 after a collegiate career at the University of Alabama.[1] Shaeffer was Alabama's first-ever professional basketball player.[2] He became a businessman in Indianapolis, Indiana after his short-lived NBA career.[2]
Shaeffer served in the United States Army during World War II and was taken prisoner of war by German forces in Belgium on January 18, 1945.[3] Initially reported missing in action, he was later found to be a prisoner and was released at the end of the war. Following his basketball career, Shaeffer operated a tavern in Brookston, Indiana. He committed suicide by shooting himself on his 50th birthday in 1974.
Source[4]
| Year | Team | GP | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949–50 | Indianapolis | 43 | .369 | .561 | .9 | 3.5 | ||
| 1950–51 | Indianapolis | 10 | .273 | 1.000 | 1.0 | .6 | 1.5 | |
| Career | 53 | .357 | .583 | 1.0 | .9 | 3.1 | ||