Senior, Everett, basketball
It’s easy to spot David Safstrom in the halls at Everett High School. “He’s the biggest kid in school. You can’t miss him,” Everett boys basketball coach Aaron Nations said of Safstrom, a 7-foot, 225-pound senior who wears size-17 shoes. The Seagulls hope their trumpet-playing big man hits the right notes on the court this season.
Coach’s corner
As a 6-8 freshman, Safstrom had minimal basketball skills. But since then he’s worked hard to improve and he has high hopes for his second year on the varsity team. “He has made huge strides. He improved so much over the last year, it was amazing,” said Nations, Everett’s second-year coach.
“As a freshman I was so uncoordinated,” Safstrom said. “I’ve come so far. It’s like night and day.”
Strong finish
Safstrom, a post player (of course), averaged about four points per game last season. He started six games, including the last four, when he performed well while filling in for an injured teammate. Safstrom, who trains at the Emerald City Basketball Academy in Seattle, hopes to continue to improve and play in college. “His best basketball is probably two to three years down the road,” Nations said, “but we’re hoping he can have an impact for us this year.”
Tall order
Safstrom has had to order increasingly massive shoes online since seventh grade. “I can’t go to stores anymore,” he said. Safstrom quickly learned where to stand for group photos at school. “I was always at least a head taller than everybody,” he said. “I was always (standing) center-back in all the pictures.”
Favorite hoop teams
Washington and Gonzaga. But Safstrom, who wore a Gonzaga T-shirt during his interview with The Herald, said he roots for the Bulldogs over the Huskies when they play head-to-head.
Class act
Cornell and Portland top Safstrom’s college wish list. He wants to play hoops, but the aspiring mechanical engineer ranks education above athletics on his priority list “because that’s gonna help you for the rest of your life.”
Honorable music man
A National Honor Society member who volunteers in the community, Safstrom also plays trumpet in several Everett High ensembles.
Favorite band
The Beatles. “I’m more of a classic-rock guy. I’m not into the new stuff.”
Nicknames
Safmo and Saf-squatch.
Mike Cane, Herald Writer
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