Robert Vaden - the man who is in for something at IU (Class of 04)
Does one remember the "love" Luke Recker got when Iowa came to Assembly Hall that first time? Now, imagine that, except with Purdue fans. That boy's gonna get it.
Vaden, who had verbally committed to Purdue back in 2001 withdrew his committment ... and now, after a call to IU coach Mike Davis, gave his verbal with an intent to sign to Indiana.
<a href='http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/6/045981-6616-040.html' target='_blank'>Vaden commits</a>
Vaden says he'll attend IU
Pike star had previously committed to play for Purdue, then took it back.
By Terry Hutchens
terry.hutchens@indystar.com
May 26, 2003
Pike's Robert Vaden wasted little time in deciding where he wanted to play college basketball after withdrawing his verbal commitment to Purdue nearly three weeks ago.
Sunday night, he called Indiana University coach Mike Davis and gave his commitment to play for the Hoosiers.
Vaden, who is ranked No. 36 nationally by Prepstars magazine and is the magazine's highest-rated player from Indiana for the 2004 recruiting class, said he knows there will be hard feelings from the Purdue faithful but it was the best move for him.
"Indiana is where I want to play," Vaden said. "I really like coach Davis and he's the reason I want to play at Indiana.
"I can't worry about what the Purdue people are going to say. I know they're going to have something to say about it, but I can't let that concern me."
Vaden, the The Star's Marion County and Super Team Player of the Year last year, averaged a team-high 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in helping lead Pike to a 29-0 record and the Class 4A state championship.
Vaden and Desmond Gadis originally gave verbal commitments to Purdue as high school freshmen in October 2000. Gadis was ineligible during the first semester last year and left the Pike team after playing only two games in January.
When Vaden announced May 7 that he was withdrawing his verbal commitment to Purdue, his list of possible college choices included IU, Kentucky, Louisville and Florida. He said at the time that he would also keep Purdue in the mix.
Dave Gadis, Desmond's father and Vaden's legal guardian, said Vaden never set a new timetable as to when he would pick a school.
"All Robert said was that he wanted to go through the process again, he wanted to talk to some people, and he just wanted a school where he feel comfortable," Gadis said. "I think IU and Mike Davis was the perfect fit."
Vaden can make it official by signing an IU letter of intent in November
