Dead-eye ringer: Oakland’s Bader is one of NCAA’s best from downtown
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BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
ROCHESTER HILLS — Travis Bader has developed quite a reputation during his career at Oakland University: Having a dead-eye while shooting 3-pointers.
More often than not, when he squares off his feet, they are planted beyond the three-point arc. And Bader can make them.
When Bader first entered OU five years ago, he was quickly compared to Erik Kangas. At the time, Kangas was the top three-point shooting specialist in OU history, lighting up scoreboards around the Midwest. Kangas made over 40 percent of his three-point attempts during his final three seasons at Oakland.
Now all eyes are on Bader, who has quietly built a reputation as one of all-time most prolific 3-point shooters in NCAA history.
LONG DISTANCE:Oakland University senior Travis Bader is inching closer to the all-time NCAA three-point scoring record. Courtesy Photo | Jose Juarez, Oakland University.
“I did hear the comparisons (with Kangas),” recalled Bader, who nailed 44 percent of his 3-point attempts as a redshirt freshman in 2010-11. “But I tried not to listen to it. I have just tried to help us win basketball games any way I can.”
For Bader, now a 6-foot-5, fifth-year senior, he has not only surpassed Kangas and an any other Oakland sharpshooter, but he now ranks in the top 25 all-time in NCAA Division I history and is quietly chasing the record as the nation’s career leader from outside the arc.
The all-time record for career three-pointers entering the 2013-14 season was 457 out of 1,126 attempts established by Duke’s J.J. Redick from 2002-2006.
“Not only is Bader the all-time best here at Oakland, but he has a chance to be the NCAA leader — all-time. That’s very possible,” said veteran OU coach Greg Kampe. “He has the green light (to shoot) all the time.
“There were a couple of times early in his career when Bader turned down the opportunity to shoot an open 3. I got awfully mad at him,” said Kampe. “Today, he never turns down a shot. But I think what has made Travis a better player all-around compared to a lot of the other shooters that we’ve had here is he is not afraid to get to the free throw line. He has worked on his complete game.”
Bader entered the season 13th all-time from 3-point range, shooting 394-for-973 from downtown (career .405 percentage). Also on this list is David Holston, who attended nearby Auburn Hills Avondale High School and played collegiately at Chicago State. Holston ranks second all-time on the NCAA’s career list (450-for-1147, a .392 percentage). Keyden Clark of St. Peters (2002-06) holds the record for most 3-point attempts (1192) and ranks third all-time in 3-pointers made (435).
Much like Holston and Clark, Bader is not a household name in the arena of college basketball. He spent his early years in the Summit League, which doesn’t draw a lot of national attention. Oakland now plays in the Horizon League, where Bader will have one full season to compete against stiffer competition.
As a junior, Bader averaged 22.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists a game. He shot 139-for-360, .386 percentage)from beyond the arc. Oakland’s aggressive dribble-drive and dish attack is a perfect set-up for three-point shooters and Bader has more than thrived in that system, even this season with opposing coaches consistently setting up defensive schemes to guard Bader.
So far this season, Bader has shot 33-for-78 (.423) from 3-point range. His improved ability to get to the foul line through seven games this season is proven by his 29-for-30 performance (.967) from the stripe.
With all of his efforts, Bader is now sitting right on the radar of both numerous NBA scouts and foreign league scouts.
GREEN LIGHT: Oakland’s Travis Bader entered the 2013-14 season in the top five all-time in three-pointers made and should, baring injury, exit as the NCAA all-time leader. Courtesy Photo | Jose Juarez, Oakland University.
During Bader’s redshirt season and freshman campaign, Oakland made the NCAA tournament. Bader and his teammates are hoping to make a fourth appearance in Division I next March. That would be better than any NCAA record, according to Bader.
“Sure it would be great having a record, but that’s not what I’m (shooting for),” said Bader. “Our goal is to win the Horizon League tournament and make the NCAAs. That is our ultimate goal. If any records are set along the way, it’s just part of the process.”
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FOR MORE BASKETBALL COVERAGE: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Basketball&x=13&y=12
Have photos or video of this event that you wish to share? E-mail pertinent information to www.northoaklandsports.com Senior Editor Dan Stickradt at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or e-mail results@northoaklandsports.com.
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