By Duane Cochran
FAIRMONT — The day Thad McFadden has been waiting on since the end of the 2008-09 college basketball season has finally arrived.
McFadden, Fairmont State University’s second-team All-American guard, recently signed a professional contract with Basketbalovy Klub Usti in the Czech Republic and departed for Europe Tuesday. He’ll be assigned to a team in the Mattoni National Basketball League upon his arrival and is expected to play his first game on Saturday, Nov. 14.
“This is a great opportunity for me,” said McFadden with a big smile. “I love playing the game and if I can play the game and get paid for doing it then that’s a big bonus for me.
“When I got the offer I was pretty excited. The chance to play again at the professional level is something I’ve wanted to do for a while now.”
McFadden finished first in the West Virginia Conference and second in the country in scoring last season in NCAA Division II with a 25.4 average. He helped lead FSU to a 20-9 record. It was the Falcons’ first 20-win season in eight years.
He was second on the team in rebounding with a 5.4 average per game and also led the Falcons in both assists (112) and steals (57). He made 233-of-512 field goals (45.5 percent) and ranked fifth in D-II in made 3-pointers per game thanks to connecting on 106-of-286 3-pointers (37.1 percent). He also was 164-of-206 from the foul line (79.6 percent).
In addition, he scored in double figures in all 29 of FSU’s games last year and finished the season with 736 points. Eleven times he scored 30 or more points in a game and twice he topped the 40-point mark.
McFadden spent a lot of time this past summer working out and playing with former Miami of Ohio standout William Hatcher in his hometown of Flint, Mich. Hatcher currently plays for BK Decin in the Czech Republic and gave McFadden a few pointers on playing professionally overseas.
“He told me to play hard, be myself, not to worry about things and then go from there,” said McFadden. “He also said first impressions in this league are big impressions so I’m keeping that in mind.
“I know it’s going to be a big change for me with the new culture and all and I have to admit I’m a little nervous. I may not know what everyone is talking about, but I’ll get along okay. I’ve got basketball and it’s somewhat of a universal language.”
McFadden is expected to play throughout the regular season in the Czech Republic which ends in April. The league then holds its playoffs and championship in May.
“I’m going to miss Fairmont. There’s no doubt about that,” said McFadden. “My little brother is here now (junior guard Erving McFadden who is playing for the Falcons) and I was able to spend some time with him here and get him settled in. I’ll be back though. I’m coming back in the summer so I can finish working on my degree.”
