University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Tyler Gallo
Journeyman: The Nigel Shadd Story
1/5/2023 4:22:00 PM | Men's Basketball
To say Delaware men's basketball forward Nigel Shadd's basketball journey has been long and winded would be an understatement.
His basketball travels have found him going from Mesa, Ariz. to Manhattan, Kan., from Kansas to Stockton, Calif., and now, he finds himself in Newark. It's a journey that has encompassed more than 5,600 miles and nearly 85 travel hours, but for Shadd, that long trek has shaped him.
"The different experiences at each school [shaped me as a player]," Shadd said. "At Kansas State, I learned how to push through [adversity], especially through injuries, and learned from the people there because there are a lot of different players and a lot of moments we went through. At Pacific, it was more perseverance. [I am trying to] go from there and take all that I learned from Kansas State and Pacific and bring it [to Delaware]."
Entering the transfer portal after the 2020-21 season at Pacific, Shadd had more uncertainty during the 2021-22 campaign, sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules. To stay in game shape, he stuck around in California, training at a recreational gym in Sacramento with some players from the Kings.
Training with NBA players was an experience that Shadd used to further develop his game in the offseason. It helped him slow down the pace of the game, something that he echoed was important for post players like him.
"Playing in college and playing professionally are two different levels. I had to learn how to [speed up my game]," Shadd said. "Those professionals taught me how to slow down, and once I learned the art of slowing down as a post, that's what made my game a lot easier and better. Not only just scoring but also passing, helping my teammates out, and rebounding, all assets of learning how to slow down really helped my game."
During the summer, it came time for Shadd to find a new school. After playing sparingly due to injury or not having a role at his previous schools, he was looking for another chance to show how he has evolved as a player over the years.
"I was looking for another opportunity to show what I've learned through these paths," he said. "In my career at Kansas State and at Pacific, I didn't really have a chance [to succeed]. At Pacific, I had a specific role, but it didn't feel like I could fulfill my full potential there. Talking with Coach Martin and Coach Phillips and the conversation I had with them, I really felt like I could fulfill that and bring my knowledge, skills and everything that I've learned and built [to Delaware]."
Head coach Martin Ingelsby saw the skills that Shadd could bring to the roster, one that was left with a hole in the post after forwards Andrew Carr and Dylan Painter departed from the team. Ingelsby believed Shadd fit the mold of a player he wanted on the Blue Hens.
"He developed a relationship with Coach Phillips through the recruiting process, and Bill thought he'd be a really good fit for us," Ingelsby said. "He was a kid that we thought would be a good fit for us, he's a hard worker and has a great attitude and energy about him. We're really pleased with where he's at right now."
As if his summer of finding a new school wasn't crazy enough, Shadd also got married to his fiancée, Ivana Maodus-Shadd, shortly after committing to UD, becoming one of 17 men's basketball Division I student-athletes to be married. It was a whirlwind few days for the forward.
"The funny thing was before we even thought about coming [to Delaware] on a visit, we were supposed to get married in the first place, and I had official visits set up for Northern Illinois and Delaware," he said. "She came with me on both visits. I told her I really liked Delaware and it was the place I wanted to be, and she agreed. We went from California to Arizona, and she only had one day before she had to go back [to California] because she had a job lined up right after graduation, so we went to the courthouse, we signed the papers to officially get married, then she had to fly back [to California]."
Shadd also noted the importance of having his wife as his support system throughout his entire basketball journey, as she has been at his side since he was at Kansas State.
"She's helped me in many different ways. She makes sure that I stay focused and stay on track, not only with athletics but academics," he said. "There have been times when I needed help, and she's on the phone right away, asking me what I need help with or what I need. It's something that helped us build not only our relationship but build for the future because she supports me, and I support her in her dreams as well."
With the season underway and having a chance to get acclimated to a new team and system, Ingelsby has noticed Shadd's presence in the locker room and on the court.
"He's an older, savvy veteran guy. He's been around college basketball," he said. "He's been at two programs, and I just think he really enjoys the camaraderie around the team, the positive energy and the ability to really develop as a person as a basketball player. He's been a really good addition to our program."
As for Shadd, he has one thing in mind for this season; helping out the team the best he can.
"[Delaware] already has a very talented team, they have a lot of experience not only through the players but also through the coaches as well," Shadd said. "I can tell that they know what they're doing… I just want to do the best I can, and then hopefully everything I've done to help the team gets us as far as March Madness."
His basketball travels have found him going from Mesa, Ariz. to Manhattan, Kan., from Kansas to Stockton, Calif., and now, he finds himself in Newark. It's a journey that has encompassed more than 5,600 miles and nearly 85 travel hours, but for Shadd, that long trek has shaped him.
"The different experiences at each school [shaped me as a player]," Shadd said. "At Kansas State, I learned how to push through [adversity], especially through injuries, and learned from the people there because there are a lot of different players and a lot of moments we went through. At Pacific, it was more perseverance. [I am trying to] go from there and take all that I learned from Kansas State and Pacific and bring it [to Delaware]."
Entering the transfer portal after the 2020-21 season at Pacific, Shadd had more uncertainty during the 2021-22 campaign, sitting out due to NCAA transfer rules. To stay in game shape, he stuck around in California, training at a recreational gym in Sacramento with some players from the Kings.
Training with NBA players was an experience that Shadd used to further develop his game in the offseason. It helped him slow down the pace of the game, something that he echoed was important for post players like him.
"Playing in college and playing professionally are two different levels. I had to learn how to [speed up my game]," Shadd said. "Those professionals taught me how to slow down, and once I learned the art of slowing down as a post, that's what made my game a lot easier and better. Not only just scoring but also passing, helping my teammates out, and rebounding, all assets of learning how to slow down really helped my game."
During the summer, it came time for Shadd to find a new school. After playing sparingly due to injury or not having a role at his previous schools, he was looking for another chance to show how he has evolved as a player over the years.
"I was looking for another opportunity to show what I've learned through these paths," he said. "In my career at Kansas State and at Pacific, I didn't really have a chance [to succeed]. At Pacific, I had a specific role, but it didn't feel like I could fulfill my full potential there. Talking with Coach Martin and Coach Phillips and the conversation I had with them, I really felt like I could fulfill that and bring my knowledge, skills and everything that I've learned and built [to Delaware]."
Head coach Martin Ingelsby saw the skills that Shadd could bring to the roster, one that was left with a hole in the post after forwards Andrew Carr and Dylan Painter departed from the team. Ingelsby believed Shadd fit the mold of a player he wanted on the Blue Hens.
"He developed a relationship with Coach Phillips through the recruiting process, and Bill thought he'd be a really good fit for us," Ingelsby said. "He was a kid that we thought would be a good fit for us, he's a hard worker and has a great attitude and energy about him. We're really pleased with where he's at right now."
As if his summer of finding a new school wasn't crazy enough, Shadd also got married to his fiancée, Ivana Maodus-Shadd, shortly after committing to UD, becoming one of 17 men's basketball Division I student-athletes to be married. It was a whirlwind few days for the forward.
"The funny thing was before we even thought about coming [to Delaware] on a visit, we were supposed to get married in the first place, and I had official visits set up for Northern Illinois and Delaware," he said. "She came with me on both visits. I told her I really liked Delaware and it was the place I wanted to be, and she agreed. We went from California to Arizona, and she only had one day before she had to go back [to California] because she had a job lined up right after graduation, so we went to the courthouse, we signed the papers to officially get married, then she had to fly back [to California]."
Shadd also noted the importance of having his wife as his support system throughout his entire basketball journey, as she has been at his side since he was at Kansas State.
"She's helped me in many different ways. She makes sure that I stay focused and stay on track, not only with athletics but academics," he said. "There have been times when I needed help, and she's on the phone right away, asking me what I need help with or what I need. It's something that helped us build not only our relationship but build for the future because she supports me, and I support her in her dreams as well."
With the season underway and having a chance to get acclimated to a new team and system, Ingelsby has noticed Shadd's presence in the locker room and on the court.
"He's an older, savvy veteran guy. He's been around college basketball," he said. "He's been at two programs, and I just think he really enjoys the camaraderie around the team, the positive energy and the ability to really develop as a person as a basketball player. He's been a really good addition to our program."
As for Shadd, he has one thing in mind for this season; helping out the team the best he can.
"[Delaware] already has a very talented team, they have a lot of experience not only through the players but also through the coaches as well," Shadd said. "I can tell that they know what they're doing… I just want to do the best I can, and then hopefully everything I've done to help the team gets us as far as March Madness."
Players Mentioned
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