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. 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 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. After the 66ers was eliminated from the second round of the playoffs, he was recalled by the Thunder.
During the 2011 NBA lockout, Vaden played for BK SPU Nitra of Slovakian basketball league on a three-month contract with an option to return to the NBA after the lockout ends.
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.
On August 3, 2012, Vaden signed with Telekom Baskets Bonn of germany's Basketball Bundesliga.
Read more about this topic: Robert Vaden
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