Robert Vaden (basketball)

Robert Vaden
Born	(1985-03-03) March 3, 1985 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Occupation	Professional basketball player (retired)
Years active	2009–2017
Known for	Basketball career with Indiana Hoosiers, UAB Blazers, NBA Development League teams

Robert Anthony Vaden (born March 3, 1985) is a retired American professional basketball athlete. His last professional engagement was with the Erie BayHawks in the NBA Development League. Vaden's collegiate career was split evenly between the Indiana Hoosiers and the UAB Blazers, spending two years at each institution. After completing four years of college basketball, he was chosen by the Charlotte Bobcats as the 54th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft. However, his rights were subsequently traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who ultimately did not sign him. As a result, Vaden embarked on a professional journey overseas in Italy and Slovakia before joining the Tulsa 66ers, the Thunder's affiliate team in the NBA Development League.

High school career

Vaden's high school education included time at Cathedral High School, Pike High School in Indianapolis, and Bridgton Academy located in Maine. During his senior year at Bridgton Academy, he averaged 26 points and 8 rebounds per game, guiding the squad to a 27–7 record. His freshman and sophomore years were spent at Cathedral High, but due to a disagreement involving his guardian, he transferred to Pike High for his junior year. At Pike, he led the Red Devils to an undefeated season with a 29–0 record and secured the Indiana Class 4A championship, posting averages of 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per contest.

Ranked as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com, Vaden was positioned as the No. 8 small forward nationally and ranked No. 38 overall among players in the class of 2004.

College career

Vaden initiated his collegiate tenure at Indiana University, starting every game throughout his first two seasons. As a freshman, he topped the Hoosiers in minutes played (980), free throw accuracy (.803), and steals per game (1.55 – fifth best in the Big Ten), while also ranking third on the team in both scoring (10.5 points) and rebounds (4.3).

In his sophomore campaign, Vaden emerged as one of the Big Ten’s standout performers, finishing second on Indiana in both scoring (13.5) and rebounding (5.5), while leading the team with 109 assists and 38 steals. Notably, he made 12 consecutive three-point shots over three games—just three shy of an NCAA record—and set an Indiana single-game record by shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc against Ball State. During the 2006 NCAA Tournament, he nailed a decisive three-pointer to secure a first-round victory over San Diego State.

Following the 2005–06 season, Indiana dismissed coach Mike Davis, who later accepted the head coaching position at University of Alabama at Birmingham. Having formed a close relationship with Davis after his father's passing, Vaden transferred to UAB to continue playing under his guidance.

Due to NCAA transfer regulations, Vaden sat out the 2006–07 season but then enjoyed a breakout junior year at UAB, averaging 21.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He earned first-team all-conference recognition and was honored as the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year. During this period, he set UAB single-season records for total points (695), three-pointers made (142), and attempts (355). His mark of 142 made threes also established a Conference USA record and ranked second nationwide. Additionally, he holds UAB’s career scoring average record (minimum of 25 games) entering his senior season. On February 27, 2008, Vaden posted a personal best by scoring 41 points against UTEP.

Concluding his college tenure with 2,010 points and 379 three-point field goals made—placing him tenth all-time in NCAA history—Vaden owns UAB’s single-season records for points scored as well as three-pointers made and attempted. He also shares school records for single-game achievements including points scored (41), three-point field goals made (9), and flawless free throw shooting (11-for-11).

Professional career

Following the completion of his collegiate tenure, Vaden became automatically eligible for the 2009 NBA draft, where forecasts placed him as a potential second-round selection or an undrafted free agent. Ultimately, he was chosen 54th overall by the Charlotte Bobcats, who promptly traded his rights to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for cash considerations. Vaden took part in both the 2009 Orlando and NBA Summer Leagues, enhancing his scoring output from 3.0 to 7.8 points per contest; however, the Thunder did not offer him a contract, prompting him to explore opportunities abroad.

Prior to training camp, Vaden inked a deal with Aget Imola, a team competing in Italy’s second division, where he posted an average of 16.9 points across 29 games. He returned stateside to participate in the Thunder’s 2010 Orlando Summer League squad but again did not secure a contract or an invitation to training camp for the 2010–11 NBA season.

Entering the 2010 NBA Development League Draft, Vaden was selected seventh overall by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers but was immediately traded to the Tulsa 66ers, Oklahoma City’s affiliate team. During his tenure with Tulsa, he averaged 10.4 points over 45 appearances and contributed to their playoff run before being signed and reassigned by the Thunder in April 2011. Following Tulsa’s elimination from the postseason, Oklahoma City recalled him.

Amidst the 2011 NBA lockout, Vaden accepted a short-term contract with BK SPU Nitra in Slovakia, which included an option for his return after the lockout concluded. In December of that year, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves along with draft picks in exchange for Lazar Hayward but was waived immediately thereafter.

In August 2012, Vaden signed with Telekom Baskets Bonn competing in Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga and subsequently joined Belfius Mons-Hainaut in Belgium for the 2013–14 campaign.

On October 24, 2014, Vaden agreed to terms with the San Antonio Spurs but was released just one day later. He was then selected eighth overall by the Bakersfield Jam in the 2014 NBA Development League draft and subsequently traded to the Westchester Knicks in January 2015. Unfortunately, a season-ending injury resulted in his release in February.

Vaden returned to Westchester in October 2016 but was waived after participating in eleven games by December. In January 2017, he signed with the Erie BayHawks but was waived in March due to sustaining a concussion that ended his season prematurely.

College

|- |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

Regular season

|- |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"| Overall | 45 || 17 || 28.0 || .412 || .392 || .714 || 2.4 || 2.2 || .9 || .3 || 10.4

Playoffs

|- |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"| Overall |4||0||32.3|| .480|| .480|| .875|| 4.3|| 1.5|| .8|| .2|| 16.8

Personal life

He is a father to two children named Brooke and Blake.

External links

• Robert Vaden profile on NBA.com
• NBA G League statistics
• Draft scouting report
• ESPN player profile
• College basketball stats at sports-reference.com
• Biography at UAB Blazers
• Indiana Hoosiers biography