Update on former Wahoos Shedrick, Traudt & Caffaro

By Jerry Ratcliffe

So throw another log on the fire and let’s check in on the three Cavaliers who transferred out of Virginia’s basketball program after last season — Kadin Shedrick, Isaac Traudt and Francisco “Papi” Caffaro.

Those three represented the bulk of UVA’s frontcourt size, something the Cavaliers have had to adjust to so far this season. Surely all three would be getting significant time, had they elected to stay.

Shedrick clearly wasn’t happy over losing his starting job and reduced court time, Traudt (who was redshirted as a freshman last season) became homesick and left, while Caffaro left for unknown reasons. Shedrick landed at Texas, Traudt with home-state Creighton, and Caffaro is playing for Santa Clara.

At 7-foot, Shedrick has gotten off to a solid start for the Longhorns, averaging slightly more than 13 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game to go with 67-percent shooting. Having offseason labrum surgery on both shoulders, the big man has sat out a couple of games because Texas doesn’t want his body overly stressed.

After putting together an impressive game against Louisville with 27 points and 7 rebounds, Shedrick was held out of the Horns’ 81-71 loss to UConn for precautionary measures.

“Kadin is fine, he’s just not in a position right now where he can go back-to-back nights,” said Texas coach Rodney Terry of that decision. “The other night was a physical game (Louisville). He was on that floor a lot. To bring him back in another physical game, he’s just not ready for that right now. Each time he hits the floor, I’m praying that he’s OK.”

Meanwhile, at Creighton, Traudt is not starting for the Blue Jays, but may have emerged in a recent rout of Central Michigan when the 6-foot-10 stretch forward produced career-highs in 3-pointers (5) and points (18).

Creighton is 8-1 and ranked No. 8 in this week’s AP poll prior to Wednesday night’s game against UNLV. The Jays host Alabama this weekend and take on Villanova next week in their Big East opener.

Traudt is averaging 7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game thus far and shooting 52 percent, getting 16 minutes per outing. 

“When I got here in the summer, I just felt clueless a lot of the times,” Traudt told sportswriters after a recent game. “I wasn’t used to playing free basketball or anything like that. So it definitely took me a while and I’m still not all the way there yet, but I’m definitely feeling more comfortable.”

Creighton coach Greg McDermott would agree with that notion.

“You’ve been able to see him grow,” McDermott said. “It’s coming together for him.”

Caffaro, who played a limited role in Tony Bennett’s program, is getting similar numbers at Santa Clara. The 6-10 big man is averaging 5.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and shooting 53 percent in 18.5 minutes per game.

Most of his numbers have come against weaker competition, though, because in a loss to Stanford, he scored only two points and had five rebounds. In another loss to Ohio State, he failed to score and had five rebounds.