Robert Vaden
Encyclopedia
Robert Anthony Vaden is an American
professional basketball
player. 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 and in the NBA Development League
(NBA D-League), a minor league
basketball organization owned and run by the NBA, with the Tulsa 66ers
. He finally signed with the Thunder on April 2011.
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.
After completing his high school career, Vaden signed a National Letter of Intent
with 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.
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.
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
.
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).
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. 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. 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. 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. However, the Thunder didn't sign him to a contract and Vaden weighed the option to play overseas.
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
. He played in 29 games and averaged 16.9 points on 40 percent shooting in 35.7 minutes per game.
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. However, he didn't receive a contract offer or an invitation to the Thunder's training camp for the 2010–11 season
.
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
. On the next day, he was traded to the Tulsa 66ers
, the D-League affiliate of the Thunder, in exchange for Mustafa Shakur
. 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 won 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. After the 66ers was eliminated from the second round of the playoffs, he was recalled by the Thunder.
|align="left"| 2004–05
|align="left"| Indiana
| 29 || 29 || 33.8 || .376 || .370 || .803 || 4.3 || 2.1 || 1.6 || .2 || 10.3
|-
|align="left"| 2005–06
|align="left"| Indiana
| 31 || 31 || 34.4 || .436 || .415 || .804 || 5.5 || 3.5 || 1.2 || .2 || 13.5
|-
|align="left"| 2007–08
|align="left"| Alabama-Birmingham
| 33 || 32 || 35.5 || .408 || .400 || .863 || 3.5 || 2.6 || 1.0 || .2 || 21.1
|-
|align="left"| 2008–09
|align="left"| Alabama-Birmingham
| 34 || 34 || 36.5 || .397 || .346 || .740 || 4.9 || 2.1 || 1.0 || .6 || 17.6
|-class="sortbottom"
|align="center" colspan="2"| Career
| 127 || 126 || 35.1 || .405 || .382 || .808 || 4.6 || 2.6 || 1.2 || .3 || 15.8
|align="left"| 2010–11
|align="left"| Tulsa
| 45 || 17 || 28.0 || .412 || .392 || .714 || 2.4 || 2.2 || .9 || .3 || 10.4
|-class="sortbottom"
|align="center" colspan="2"| Career
| 45 || 17 || 28.0 || .412 || .392 || .714 || 2.4 || 2.2 || .9 || .3 || 10.4
|align="left"| 2011
|align="left"| Tulsa
| 4 || 0 || 32.3 || .480 || .480 || .875 || 4.3 || 1.5 || .8 || .2 || 16.8
|-class="sortbottom"
|align="center" colspan="2"| Career
| 4 || 0 || 32.3 || .480 || .480 || .875 || 4.3 || 1.5 || .8 || .2 || 16.8
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. Vaden played college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
with the Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Indiana University . The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the NCAA. The Hoosiers play on Branch McCracken Court at the Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana on the IU...
and the UAB Blazers
UAB Blazers men's basketball
The UAB Blazers men's basketball team represents the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I men's college basketball, and have competed in Conference USA since 1995...
for two years each. After four years in college, he was drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
with the 54th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft
2009 NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
. After the draft, his draft rights were immediately traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
. However, the Thunder did not sign him to a contract. As a result, he went on to play in Italy and in the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
(NBA D-League), a minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
basketball organization owned and run by the NBA, with the Tulsa 66ers
Tulsa 66ers
The Tulsa 66ers are an NBA Development League team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the minor league affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their logo design is a basketball behind mountains with a road leading up to them, all on a U.S...
. He finally signed with the Thunder on April 2011.
High school career
Robert Vaden attended Cathedral High SchoolCathedral High School (Indianapolis)
Cathedral High School is a private, Catholic institution in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. There are over 1,200 students in grades 9 to 12. It once was located within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and was run independently by the Brothers of Holy Cross...
and Pike High School
Pike High School
Pike High School is a public high school on the northwest side of Indianapolis, Indiana.-Academics:Pike High School serves students in grades 9–12 in the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township....
in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
and Bridgton Academy
Bridgton Academy
Bridgton Academy is an all-male college preparatory boarding school in North Bridgton, Maine. The school offers a true transitional year, to help students who have completed their senior year of high school gain the academic skills, study skills, self-discipline, and self-confidence necessary to...
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.
After completing his high school career, Vaden signed a National Letter of Intent
National Letter of Intent
The National Letter of Intent is a document used to indicate a student athlete's commitment to participating NCAA colleges and universities in the United States. The NCAA Eligibility Center manages the daily operations of the NLI program while the Collegiate Commissioners Association provides...
with Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
.
College career
Vaden began his career at Indiana UniversityIndiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
, 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
Ball State Cardinals men's basketball
The Ball State Cardinals men's basketball team is the basketball team that represent Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. The Cardinals first basketball season was 1920-1921. The school's team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's...
. Another high point came in the 2006 NCAA Tournament
2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2005–06 basketball season...
, where Vaden hit the game-winning three-pointer to lift the Hoosiers over San Diego State in the first round.
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
University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university in Birmingham in the U.S. state of Alabama. Developing from an extension center established in 1936, the institution became an autonomous institution in 1969 and is today one of three institutions in the University of Alabama System...
. 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.
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
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
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
UTEP Miners
The UTEP Miners is the name given to the sports teams of the University of Texas at El Paso. Informally, the UTEP Miners have also been referred to as the Miners, UTEP, or Texas-El Paso. UTEP was a member of the Western Athletic Conference from 1967 to 2005, when they joined Rice, Tulsa, and SMU in...
.
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
Andy Kennedy (basketball coach)
Andy Kennedy is an American college basketball coach and the current head men's basketball coach at the University of Mississippi . Kennedy was a player in high school at both Winston Academy and Louisville High School...
), three point field goals (9), and free throw percentage (11-11, tied with two others).
Professional career
Vaden was automatically eligibleEligibility for the NBA Draft
The NBA Draft, the annual event in which the 30 franchises in the National Basketball Association select new players for their teams, has distinctive eligibility rules, which have changed several times during the history of the league.-Early history:...
for the 2009 NBA Draft
2009 NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
after finishing his four-year college eligibility. He was projected to be either a second-round pick or undrafted free agent. He was eventually drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
with the 54th pick in the draft and his rights were immediately traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
in exchange for cash considerations. He then played for the Thunder in both 2009 Orlando Summer League
Orlando Summer League
The Orlando Pro Summer League is a pro basketball league run by the NBA club the Orlando Magic in the United States each summer following the NBA Draft. Teams consist of players who have been in the league for 3 years or fewer as well as newly drafted talent....
and NBA Summer League
NBA Summer League
The NBA Summer League is a period during which NBA teams come together to try out different summer rosters instead of their regular season line-ups. Typically, there is a mix of rookies and some of the younger bench players to see how well some players work with others...
. He played in all five games in Orlando, averaging 3.0 points in 19.1 minutes per game. 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. However, the Thunder didn't sign him to a contract and Vaden weighed the option to play overseas.
Before the training camp began, Vaden signed a contract with Italian second division team Aget Imola
Andrea Costa Imola
Andrea Costa Imola, also known for sponsorship reasons as Aget Imola, is an Italian professional basketball team from the town of Imola and named after Andrea Costa, a former mayor of Imola....
. On October 11, he scored 15 points in his first game for Imola, a 73–72 win over Sassari
Dinamo Basket Sassari
Dinamo Basket Sassari is an Italian professional basketball club based in Sassari, Sardinia.The club plays in the Italian Serie A, the highest level club competition in Italian professional basketball....
. He played in 29 games and averaged 16.9 points on 40 percent shooting in 35.7 minutes per game.
After one season in Italy, Vaden returned to the U.S. to participate in the 2010 Orlando Summer League
2010 NBA Summer League
The 2010 National Basketball Association Summer League was a pro basketball league ran by the NBA in the United States just following the 2010 NBA Draft. Teams consisted of players who have been in the league for three years or fewer as well as newly drafted talent. It gives rookies a chance to...
with the Thunder. He played in all five games, averaging 4.6 points in 21.0 minutes per game. However, he didn't receive a contract offer or an invitation to the Thunder's training camp for the 2010–11 season
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
.
He then signed a contract to play in the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
(D-League) and became eligible for the 2010 D-League Draft
2010 NBA Development League Draft
The 2010 NBA D-League Draft occurred on November 1, 2010. The first pick was Nick Fazekas by the Reno Bighorns.-Round 1:The 2010 NBA D-League Draft occurred on November 1, 2010. The first pick was Nick Fazekas by the Reno Bighorns.-Round 1:...
. On November 1, 2010, Vaden was selected seventh overall by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Rio Grande Valley Vipers
The Rio Grande Valley Vipers are a 2007-08 expansion team in the NBA Development League. They play their home games at the State Farm Arena, in Hidalgo, Texas....
. On the next day, he was traded to the Tulsa 66ers
Tulsa 66ers
The Tulsa 66ers are an NBA Development League team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the minor league affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their logo design is a basketball behind mountains with a road leading up to them, all on a U.S...
, the D-League affiliate of the Thunder, in exchange for Mustafa Shakur
Mustafa Shakur
Mustafadeen "Mustafa" Abdush Shakur is an American professional basketball player for A.S. Junior Pallacanestro Casale in Italy. He was not drafted by an NBA team, but he signed with and was subsequently released by the Sacramento Kings, before playing in any NBA regular season games...
. 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 won 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. After the 66ers was eliminated from the second round of the playoffs, he was recalled by the Thunder.
College
|-|align="left"| 2004–05
|align="left"| Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Indiana University . The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the NCAA. The Hoosiers play on Branch McCracken Court at the Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana on the IU...
| 29 || 29 || 33.8 || .376 || .370 || .803 || 4.3 || 2.1 || 1.6 || .2 || 10.3
|-
|align="left"| 2005–06
|align="left"| Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Indiana University . The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the NCAA. The Hoosiers play on Branch McCracken Court at the Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana on the IU...
| 31 || 31 || 34.4 || .436 || .415 || .804 || 5.5 || 3.5 || 1.2 || .2 || 13.5
|-
|align="left"| 2007–08
|align="left"| Alabama-Birmingham
UAB Blazers men's basketball
The UAB Blazers men's basketball team represents the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I men's college basketball, and have competed in Conference USA since 1995...
| 33 || 32 || 35.5 || .408 || .400 || .863 || 3.5 || 2.6 || 1.0 || .2 || 21.1
|-
|align="left"| 2008–09
|align="left"| Alabama-Birmingham
UAB Blazers men's basketball
The UAB Blazers men's basketball team represents the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I men's college basketball, and have competed in Conference USA since 1995...
| 34 || 34 || 36.5 || .397 || .346 || .740 || 4.9 || 2.1 || 1.0 || .6 || 17.6
|-class="sortbottom"
|align="center" colspan="2"| Career
| 127 || 126 || 35.1 || .405 || .382 || .808 || 4.6 || 2.6 || 1.2 || .3 || 15.8
Regular season
|-|align="left"| 2010–11
|align="left"| Tulsa
Tulsa 66ers
The Tulsa 66ers are an NBA Development League team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the minor league affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their logo design is a basketball behind mountains with a road leading up to them, all on a U.S...
| 45 || 17 || 28.0 || .412 || .392 || .714 || 2.4 || 2.2 || .9 || .3 || 10.4
|-class="sortbottom"
|align="center" colspan="2"| Career
| 45 || 17 || 28.0 || .412 || .392 || .714 || 2.4 || 2.2 || .9 || .3 || 10.4
Playoffs
|-|align="left"| 2011
|align="left"| Tulsa
Tulsa 66ers
The Tulsa 66ers are an NBA Development League team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the minor league affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their logo design is a basketball behind mountains with a road leading up to them, all on a U.S...
| 4 || 0 || 32.3 || .480 || .480 || .875 || 4.3 || 1.5 || .8 || .2 || 16.8
|-class="sortbottom"
|align="center" colspan="2"| Career
| 4 || 0 || 32.3 || .480 || .480 || .875 || 4.3 || 1.5 || .8 || .2 || 16.8
External links
- Robert Vaden at NBA.com
- Robert Vaden at NBA.com/DLeague
- Robert Vaden Draft 2009 Prospects at NBA.com
- Robert Vaden Stats at ESPN.com
- Robert Vaden College Stats at ESPN.com
- Robert Vaden College Basketball Statistics at Sports-Reference.com
- Robert Vaden Bio at UAB Blazers
- Robert Vaden Bio at Indiana Hoosiers