Admiral Schofield’s familiarity helped him carve his place with the Orlando Magic

Admiral Schofield had been around the Orlando Magic before he got called up to join the team during its emergency a few weeks ago.

He had built up some relationships with his new teammates beforehand. He had gone through training camp and had an understanding of what the team was going to ask of him. Playing for the Lakeland Magic only cemented that familiarity.

When the Magic had a wave of positive COVID tests hit them, necessitating the team to call up several players on emergency 10-day contracts, Schofield was among those who got the call. He was among those most prepared.

Schofield had a solid 20-day run with the parent club and made an impact with the team. The Magic found it hard not to keep playing him among their emergency signings.

Admiral Schofield made the most of his chance as the Orlando Magic dealt with health and safety protocols. That earned him a two-way contract.

And so Thursday, the team made it official. They signed Admiral Schofield to a two-way contract, using him to replace Mychal Mulder who became a casualty of the team’s returning guard depth (Markelle Fultz may indeed be returning soon and Michael Carter-Williams and E’Twaun Moore are also injured).

For Schofield, it was more than just right place and right time. It was about being ready for the opportunity and fitting right in.

"“In the summer, I set out to be here with this organization,” Schofield said after practice Friday. “The opportunity didn’t present itself right away. Just believing in the organization and believing what this organization believes in as far as working with Lakeland Magic and keeping everything in house. Everything that we do down in Lakeland we do up here. So being as prepared as possible to make a transition like this and step into an opportunity like this. To make the most of it is a blessing.”"

Schofield averaged 4.8 points per game and made a 61.4-percent effective field goal percentage in 16.9 minutes per game across nine appearances with the Magic. Schofield was one of the team’s original signings when the COVID outbreak hit the team before the Dec. 17 game against the Miami Heat.

Schofield was putting together a really strong season in the G-League too. He is averaging 14.4 points per game 49.0-percent effective field goal percentage as one of the Lakeland Magic’s key players this season.

The numbers certainly hide why the Magic liked Schofield.

He said he viewed and continues to view the G-League as a chance to get reps. While he has the ball in his hands a lot more and gets more shots with Lakeland, he said he wants to use that time also to work on things that will help the parent club.

Schofield impressed the Orlando Magic though with his toughness and defensive versatility above everything else.

"“I just look at his versatility and his ability to defend multiple positions basically 2 through 4 and 5,” coach Jamahl Mosley said after practice Friday. “I think he did a tremendous job of working and continuing to stay the course.”"

Orlando is starting to get healthy again and so Schofield’s role will be more for practice and helping the team prepare as much as it is his actual time on the court.

On the Magic’s injury report Friday, the Magic listed only Robin Lopez in health and safety protocols.

Markelle Fultz is in his return to play conditioning and then will continue his rehab from a torn ACL. To that point too, Mosley specifically mentioned the team is starting to get some guards back and that was one of the reasons they decided to go with Admiral Schofield and drop Mychal Mulder.

Cole Anthony and Franz Wagner are questionable with sprained ankles. But both players participated in part of practice Friday before continuing their treatment and rehab. Their status for Saturday’s game will be determined after the team’s shootaround.

Schofield would be able to help fill in if Wagner would have to miss his first game of the season, playing behind anyone at the wing spots.

What the Magic are trying to build is to have guys who can play with that kind of versatility. Schofield stepped up in every way the team asked him to during these past 20 years. It was clear he was someone who could contribute as a two-way player for this team.

More than that, Schofield knows what the Magic are asking of him and knows the system and culture the team is trying to build. That familiarity helped him fit in seamlessly just as much as that familiarity helped the Magic put Schofield in the position to succeed.

"“My mindset now is helping that culture advance as far as being tough, being hard playing and guys who come in and work and play hard every night,” Schofield said after practice Friday. “That’s my job to come in here and work and help guys buy into that culture but also to be an example of that culture. I’m just excited or the opportunity.”"

For a lot of these players, all they can ask for is opportunity. Schofield will be part of the wave of players who took advantage of the opportunity created from the wave of COVID infections that hit the league.

Schofield may not do anything that pops off on the box score, but for a rebuilding team like the magic, he provides the toughness and defense they are looking to build. That comes from his familiarity with what the Magic are asking as much as anything.

That helped him slide right in. And will help him continue to contribute when the Magic all on him.