UAB standout Robert Vaden never played in the NBA, but he holds a certain pro-basketball distinction that will disappear on Thursday night. Vaden is the most recent player selected from an Alabama college in the NBA Draft.
On Thursday night, Alabama guard Collin Sexton is expected to supplant Vaden. Eight drafts went by without an Alabama college player hitting the draft board between Vaden's selection by the Charlotte Bobcats with the 54th pick in 2009 and Sexton's selection, likely in the lottery portion of the first round on Thursday night.