Robert Vaden (basketball)

Robert Anthony Vaden (born March 3, 1985) is an American former professional basketball player. Previously he played for the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League. Vaden played college basketball with the Indiana Hoosiers and the UAB Blazers for two years each. After four years in college, he was drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats with the 54th pick in the 2009 NBA draft. After the draft, his draft rights were immediately traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, the Thunder did not sign him to a contract. As a result, he went on to play in Italy, Slovakia and in the NBA Development League with the Tulsa 66ers, the D-League team affiliated with the Thunder.

Robert Vaden
Personal information
Born (1985-03-03) March 3, 1985
Indianapolis, Indiana
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2009 / Round: 2 / Pick: 54th overall
Selected by the Charlotte Bobcats
Playing career2009–2017
PositionShooting guard / Small forward
Career history
2009–2010Aget Imola
2010–2011Tulsa 66ers
2011BK SPU Nitra
2012Tulsa 66ers
2012–2013Telekom Baskets Bonn
2013–2014Belfius Mons-Hainaut
2014–2015Bakersfield Jam
2015, 2016Westchester Knicks
2017Erie BayHawks
Career highlights and awards

High school career

Robert Vaden attended Cathedral High School and Pike High School in Indianapolis, Indiana and Bridgton Academy in Bridgton, Maine. As a senior at Bridgton Academy, Vaden averaged 26 points and 8 rebounds per game, leading the team to a 27-7 record. He played his freshman and sophomore years at Cathedral, before leaving due to a dispute between his parental guardian and the school. He went on to play his junior year at Pike, where he led the Red Devils to an undefeated record (29-0) and the Indiana Class 4A title. He averaged 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Vaden was listed as the No. 8 small forward and the No. 38 player in the nation in 2004.[1]

College career

Vaden began his career at Indiana University, where he started every game in his first two years. In his freshman season, he led the Hoosiers in minutes played (980), free throw percentage (.803) and steals per game (1.55 – fifth in the Big Ten). He was the team's third leading scorer (10.5) and rebounder (4.3).

In his sophomore campaign, Vaden emerged as one of the top players in the Big Ten. He finished second on the team in scoring (13.5) and rebounding (5.5), while leading the squad in assists (109) and steals (38). The season featured many memorable moments for Vaden, as he had a streak of 12 consecutive three-pointers over a three-game stretch – only three short of the NCAA record. He also set the IU record for three-point percentage in a game, hitting 6-6 in a 12/31/05 game against Ball State. Another high point came in the 2006 NCAA Tournament, where Vaden hit the game-winning three-pointer to lift the Hoosiers over San Diego State in the first round.[2]

At the end of the 2005–06 season, Indiana coach Mike Davis was fired after failing to live up to the high Hoosier expectations, and later accepted the head coaching post at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Vaden had grown close to his coach when Davis had supported him through his father's death after his freshman year at Indiana and chose to transfer to UAB to continue playing for him.[3]

After sitting out the 2006–07 season due to NCAA transfer policy, Robert Vaden had a breakout junior year, logging one of the best seasons ever for a UAB player. He averaged 21.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game on the way to first team all-conference honors and being named the Conference USA Newcomer of the year. He set school records for points in a season (695), three-pointers made (142) and three-pointers attempted (355). His 142 three-pointers made were also a conference record and placed him second in the nation in this category. He also holds the UAB career record for scoring average (minimum 25 games) entering his senior year. On February 27, 2008 Vaden hit for 41 points, his career high, in a game against UTEP.[4]

Vaden finished his college career with 2,010 points, and hit 379 three-pointers in his career – good for #10 in NCAA history. He owns the UAB single-season records for points, three-pointers made and attempted and is the school single game record holder in points (41 – tied with Andy Kennedy), three-point field goals (9), and free throw percentage (11-11, tied with two others).[5]

Professional career

Vaden was automatically eligible for the 2009 NBA draft after finishing his four-year college eligibility. He was projected to be either a second-round pick or undrafted free agent.[6][7] He was eventually drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats with the 54th pick in the draft and his rights were immediately traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for cash considerations.[8] He then played for the Thunder in both 2009 Orlando Summer League and NBA Summer League. He played in all five games in Orlando, averaging 3.0 points in 19.1 minutes per game.[9] He improved his performance in the NBA Summer League, playing in all five games and averaging 7.8 points in 23.0 minutes per game.[10] However, the Thunder didn't sign him to a contract and Vaden weighed the option to play overseas.[11]

Before the training camp began, Vaden signed a contract with Italian second division team Aget Imola. On October 11, he scored 15 points in his first game for Imola, a 73–72 win over Sassari.[11] He played in 29 games and averaged 16.9 points on 40 percent shooting in 35.7 minutes per game.[12]

After one season in Italy, Vaden returned to the U.S. to participate in the 2010 Orlando Summer League with the Thunder. He played in all five games, averaging 4.6 points in 21.0 minutes per game.[13] However, he didn't receive a contract offer or an invitation to the Thunder's training camp for the 2010–11 season.[14]

He then signed a contract to play in the NBA Development League (D-League) and became eligible for the 2010 D-League Draft. On November 1, 2010, Vaden was selected seventh overall by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.[15] On the next day, he was traded to the Tulsa 66ers, the D-League affiliate of the Thunder, in exchange for Mustafa Shakur.[16] He played 45 games for the 66ers during the season, averaging 10.4 points on 39.2 percent shooting in 28.0 minutes per game. On April 9, 2011, after helping the 66ers win the first round of the D-League Playoffs against the Texas Legends, he was signed by the Thunder and was immediately assigned back to the 66ers.[17] After the 66ers was eliminated from the second round of the playoffs, he was recalled by the Thunder.[18]

During the 2011 NBA lockout, Vaden played for BK SPU Nitra of Slovak basketball league on a three-month contract with an option to return to the NBA after the lockout ends.[19]

On December 13, 2011, the Thunder traded Vaden along with two future draft picks to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Lazar Hayward. After the trade, Vaden was immediately waived by the Timberwolves.[20]

On August 3, 2012, Vaden signed with Telekom Baskets Bonn of Germany's Basketball Bundesliga.[21]

In 2013, Vaden signed with Belfius Mons-Hainaut of Belgium for the 2013–14 season.

On October 24, 2014, Vaden signed with the San Antonio Spurs.[22] However, he was waived by the Spurs the next day.[23] On November 1, 2014, he was selected by the Bakersfield Jam with the eighth overall pick in the 2014 NBA D-League draft.[24] On January 20, 2015, he was traded to the Westchester Knicks in exchange for the returning player rights to Josh Owens.[25] On February 13, 2015, he was waived by Westchester due to a season-ending injury.[26]

On October 31, 2016, Vaden was re-acquired by the Westchester Knicks.[27] On December 22, he was waived by Westchester after 11 games.[28] On January 23, 2017, Vaden was acquired by the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League.[29] On March 28, 2017, he was waived by the BayHawks due to a season-ending concussion.[30]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2004–05 Indiana 292933.8.376.370.8034.32.11.6.210.3
2005–06 Indiana 313134.4.436.415.8045.53.51.2.213.5
2007–08 Alabama-Birmingham 333235.5.408.400.8633.52.61.0.221.1
2008–09 Alabama-Birmingham 343436.5.397.346.7404.92.11.0.617.6
Career 12712635.1.405.382.8084.62.61.2.315.8

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 Tulsa 451728.0.412.392.7142.42.2.9.310.4
Career 451728.0.412.392.7142.42.2.9.310.4

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011 Tulsa 4032.3.480.480.8754.31.5.8.216.8
Career 4032.3.480.480.8754.31.5.8.216.8

References
  1. Robert Vaden Recruiting Profile
  2. Late surge lifts Indiana past SDSU, Davis era continues
  3. UAB star Vaden makes huge leap for loyalty to coach
  4. Boxscore - UAB vs. UTEP
  5. UAB men's basketball media guide - Record Book
  6. Ramsey, Ethan (June 24, 2009). "UAB's Robert Vaden might not be drafted but could have NBA future". The Birmingham News. Alabama Live LLC. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  7. "Gee, Vaden hoping to land with NBA teams". USA Today. June 24, 2009. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  8. "Thunder Acquires James Harden, B.J. Mullens and Robert Vaden in 2009 NBA Draft". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 26, 2009. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  9. "2009 Orlando Pro Summer League Stats: Oklahoma City Thunder Cumulative Stats" (PDF). NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  10. "2009 NBA Summer League Team Page – Oklahoma City Thunder". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  11. Silva, Chris (June 21, 2010). "Vaden Eager to Display Improvements in His Game". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  12. Brennan, Matthew (October 31, 2010). "2010 NBA D-League Draft – Top Prospects". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on January 1, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  13. "2010 NBA Summer League Statistics – Robert Vaden". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  14. "Thunder Announces Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. September 27, 2010. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  15. "Vipers Finalize Training Camp Roster with Eight Draftees". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 1, 2010. Archived from the original on November 17, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  16. "66ers Acquire Vaden, 2011 Pick". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 2, 2010. Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  17. "Thunder Signs Robert Vaden". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 9, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  18. "Thunder Recalls Robert Vaden from Tulsa 66ers". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 20, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
  19. "Robert Vaden inks in Slovakia with Nitra a three-month contract". Sportando.net. September 21, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  20. "Timberwolves Trade Lazar Hayward to Oklahoma City". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. December 13, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  21. "Telekom Baskets Bonn add Robert Vaden". Sportando.net. August 3, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  22. Spurs Sign Robert Vaden
  23. Spurs waive JaMychal Green, Fuquan Edwin, Robert Vaden
  24. Bakersfield Jam Select Six Players in 2014 NBA D-League Draft Archived 2015-01-28 at the Wayback Machine
  25. Westchester Knicks Acquire Robert Vaden
  26. Westchester Knicks Acquire Two
  27. "Westchester Knicks Finalize 2016-17 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. October 31, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  28. Hatch, Katie (December 22, 2016). "Westchester Knicks Activate Courtney Fells, Waive Robert Vaden". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  29. "NBA D-League Transactions". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  30. "BayHawks Acquire Joe Thomasson, Waive Robert Vaden". NBA.com. March 28, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
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