Cullman's Lawson Schaffer beams while his parents, Carrie and Paul, and the large crowd in the high school lecture hall applaud the senior after announcing his commitment to Alabama.

Four short years ago, Lawson Schaffer first stepped onto the varsity court as a Cullman freshman, not knowing precisely what his future held.

On Thursday, those once fuzzy visions came in crystal clear, as the crafty point guard finally revealed his college choice to a lecture hall filled to the brim with family, friends, teammates, coaches, administrators and media.

The big question for months was where Schaffer would land. In the last few weeks, it narrowed to which Division I school he’d select.

Alabama. Auburn. UAB.

With the lift of a hat from under the table to the top of his head, Schaffer revealed his decision to all.

See ya, C-Town. Hello, T-Town.

At long last, the recruiting process was over.

“It’s the biggest relief of all time,” said the sharply dressed Schaffer. “The most stress I’ve ever had and the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. All three were good choices. I go to UAB, I’m part of a great program. Auburn, great program. There’s really not a bad decision or wrong decision for me.”

While the state’s basketball scene had been left in the dark since the end of hoops season, Schaffer said his mind was made up after a visit to Tuscaloosa last week. As soon as the teen returned home, he shared the news with his parents and knew “right then and there that’s where I was going.”

Funnily enough, Schaffer’s choice has yet to create an in-house riff. The senior was happy to report his father, Paul, an avid Auburn fan, still does indeed love him.

For now, at least.

“We’ll see in the next few days,” Schaffer said with a smile.

The sharpshooter, who concluded his prep career with just less than 2,000 points, boasted scholarship offers from Division I Furman and about every D-II and junior college in driving range. In the end, however, he was left to mull a solid set of walk-on invitations from the final three in-state schools that made his cut.

The opportunity to play for an “NBA legend” in new Alabama coach Avery Johnson and a familiar atmosphere on campus were ultimately too much for Schaffer to pass up.

“I felt like it was just like Cullman,” he said. “I knew all the players. I knew the coaches real well. It just felt like home to me.”

Schaffer actually plans to room with soon-to-be Theodore graduate Dazon Ingram. The two shared the Birmingham Tip Off Club’s Player of the Year honors, made the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game and graced the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Super 5.

The one advantage Ingram currently has, though, is a scholarship. Schaffer understands the risks of walking on at any program, especially one in the Southeastern Conference, but said he’s excited for the challenge of proving he’s worthy of playing time.

“It’s going to make me work two times harder than the starters,” Schaffer said. “I’m looking to get what they already have. I’m going to go in, work my tail off and hope for the best.”

Still donning his crisp white Alabama hat and surrounded by reporters, Schaffer wasted no time admitting he could’ve never imagined himself in such a situation when he was initially promoted to the varsity ranks as a freshman.

Frankly, neither could Bobby Meyer — at first.

The Cullman coach had heard rave reviews from assistant Joseph McPhillips and others but was tentative when he made the mid-season move to bring Schaffer up. Minutes were spotty and so was the ninth-grader’s relegation to a single position.

No matter, it was impossible for Meyer to deny the inevitable.

“Every time you put him on the floor, he did great things,” the coach said of his outgoing 5-11 superstar. “He was a small kid, but that didn’t matter, just like it doesn’t now. Size is not a factor for him because his skill level is so high.”

After nearly four full seasons together, Meyer is undoubtedly the expert when it comes to what Schaffer can and can’t do on a basketball court. He had no problem telling all college coaches who inquired the “can’t” list isn’t a long one.

“I said you guys are getting a bargain getting the 6A Player of the Year walking on,” Meyer recalled. “Alabama’s getting who I think is the best point guard in the state. He’ll provide a lot of leadership for them and also be a great player on the floor.”

Kind of like his days with the Bearcats, eh? If Schaffer’s time in Tuscaloosa proves to be anywhere as fun and fruitful as it was in his hometown, he’ll consider himself a lucky man.

“I’m blessed to come from here,” he said. “It’s made me who I am. I’m going to miss playing for Cullman.”