OKC signs Robert Vaden, immediately sends Vaden to Tulsa

The Thunder signed guard Robert Vaden from their D-League affiliate Tulsa 66ers today. Conversely, Vaden has immediately been assigned to the 66ers.

No terms have been released as of yet. The Thunder had one open roster slot remaining and it’s now been filled by Vaden.

Vaden was acquired from Charlotte by the Thunder in the second round of the 2009 draft and has played this entire season with the 66ers. Vaden averaged 10.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 45 regular season games with Tulsa. This past season he shot 39.2 percent (74/189) from 3. He averaged 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in the 66ers two game sweep of the Texas Legends in the first round of the D-League playoffs.

Before joining the 66ers this season, he spent all 0f 2009-10 in Italy’s second division.

“We are happy to add Robert to our team.” Sam Presti said in a press release. “Robert has been a dedicated and consistent worker for our program and has excelled in our system in Tulsa under the direction of Head Coach Nate Tibbetts and Assistant Coach Dale Osbourne. We value the role of the 66ers in the overall development of the Thunder organization and this opportunity for Robert comes as a result of that synergy.”

Vaden is a shooter by trade and at 6-5, has pretty good size on the perimeter. He was a really good scorer in college at UAB averaged more than 17 points per game his senior season. What his role will be with the organization is to be determined, but it’s obvious that Presti and the Thunder appreciate hard work and that’s why Vaden was rewarded with this deal.