Shawn Bradley
Encyclopedia
Shawn Paul Bradley is a retired American
and German
(dual citizen) basketball
player who played center
for the Philadelphia 76ers
, the New Jersey Nets
and the Dallas Mavericks
in the National Basketball Association
. At tall, Bradley was one of the tallest players in NBA history. Though born in Landstuhl
, West Germany
, Bradley grew up in Castle Dale
, Utah
.
high school history, finishing with career averages of 20.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.4 blocked shots per game. During his time at the school, Emery racked up a 68-4 record and won two state championships. Bradley was named All-State three times and twice earned the season MVP award. In his senior year, he averaged 25 points, 17 rebounds, and 9 blocks per contest. He was named All-American by several national publications, including Dick Vitale
's, McDonald's, Parade Magazine, Street and Smith, USA Today
, and others. He also turned in a strong performance at the McDonald's All-American Game (12 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks), earning the Most Valuable Player award for the West team. As of 2011, Bradley still holds Utah state records for blocked shots in a single game (17), season (208), and career (506).
. During his freshman season (1990-91), he started all 34 games for BYU, averaging 14.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. But his main contribution to the team was shot-blocking: he led the entire nation in total blocks (177) and average (5.2 per game) - setting an NCAA freshman record in both categories. In one game against Eastern Kentucky
, Bradley blocked 14 shots, tying the NCAA single-game record set by Navy
's David Robinson
in 1986. In that same game, Bradley also established a new career high by scoring 29 points.
BYU qualified for the NCAA Tournament that season, and Bradley continued his dominating defense. In a first round game against Virginia
, he set a tournament single-game record with 10 blocked shots, leading the Cougars to a 61-48 victory. However, he struggled with foul trouble in the second round, and BYU lost to Arizona
, 76-61.
Bradley collected several awards and honors for his outstanding freshman season. He was named the Western Athletic Conference
Player of the Year, in addition to All-WAC defensive team and newcomer team honors. He was also named Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press
.
After the end of the season, he left school to serve as a missionary
for the LDS Church. After finishing a two-year mission to Australia
, he decided not to return to college basketball. Instead, he entered the 1993 NBA Draft
.
with the second overall pick, behind Chris Webber
and ahead of Penny Hardaway
. Given the novelty of a 7-foot-6 center playing for the 76ers, Bradley was issued jersey number 76.
Philadelphia's management saw Bradley as a major project with huge long-term potential. The team acquired legendary big man Moses Malone
to serve as a mentor for Bradley, hoping to develop his skills in the low post. Also, the franchise hired strength and conditioning consultant Pat Croce
and registered dietitian Jeanie Subach to add bulk to Bradley's skinny frame. His rookie season (1993-94) produced mixed results. In his first game, Bradley totaled just 6 points and 5 rebounds before he was replaced by Malone, who led the team to victory. However, Bradley managed to block 8 shots in just 25 minutes in that contest.
It was a sign of things to come. For much of his career, Bradley was inconsistent in scoring and rebounding, but he always excelled at blocking shots. He averaged 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game in his first season - good enough to earn NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors. But he shot a dismal 40.9 percent from the floor and constantly struggled with turnovers and foul trouble. He suffered a season-ending injury in February of that year, dislocating his kneecap in a collision with Portland's Harvey Grant
.
Bradley returned to full strength in his second season, playing in all 82 games for the 76ers. His scoring actually declined a bit (9.5 points per game), but his rebounding and shot-blocking increased. He racked up 274 rejections, setting a franchise record for most blocks in a single season. Bradley gave Philly fans a glimpse of his potential in a contest against the Los Angeles Clippers
in November, posting career highs of 28 points and 22 rebounds in a 97-83 victory. He also tied a career high with 9 blocked shots, and was credited with 9 additional "intimidations" as the Clippers were held to their lowest-ever point total against the 76ers. He finished the season in strong fashion, posting 13 double-doubles in his last 17 games.
for Derrick Coleman
. He played the final 67 games of the year with the Nets, and tantalized New Jersey fans with some strong play in the second half of the season. In February, he dominated a match-up against fellow giant Gheorghe Muresan
, leading the Nets to a 99-81 victory against the Washington Bullets. Bradley scored a season-high 27 points over the 7-foot-7 Muresan, and also added 9 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.
Bradley lifted his game to new levels in March of 1996. He posted a career-high 32 points and added 15 rebounds against Dallas
early in the month, and set another career high a week later with 10 blocked shots against the Phoenix Suns
. He recorded his first career triple-double in the very next game, tallying 19 points, 17 rebounds, and a career-best 11 blocked shots in another match-up against Muresan and the Bullets. In April, Bradley posted back-to-back triple-doubles (against Boston
and Toronto
); in the process, he became the first player in NBA history to record consecutive games of double-figure blocked shots twice in a single season. His season averages for 1995-96 were 11.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game - all career highs.
The Nets began the 1996-97 season under new management: John Calipari
was named head coach in the off-season, and John Nash
replaced Willis Reed
as general manager. Reed had been a big believer in Bradley, but Calipari and Nash weren't nearly as excited about the 7-foot-6 enigma. In an effort to save some cash against the salary cap, the Nets traded their big center (and his big contract) to the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster mid-season deal that involved nine players.
And yet, Bradley continued to be plagued by maddening inconsistency that defined his entire professional career. During the 1997-98 season, Dallas coach Jim Cleamons
experimented by bringing Bradley off the bench in several games (instead of his usual role as starter). In one particular game, it paid off in major way: Bradley totaled 22 points, 22 rebounds, and a career-high 13 blocked shots in an April contest against the TrailBlazers. It was just the fifth time in NBA history that a player finished with at least 20 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 blocks in a single game, and it marked the first time ever that it was accomplished by a player who wasn't a starter in the game. The only other players to record a 20-20-10 game are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
, Elvin Hayes
, Hakeem Olajuwon
, and Shaquille O'Neal
. Bradley finished the year with a team-record 214 blocked shots; his average of 3.3 per game ranked third in the NBA.
Bradley played 7 more seasons in the league, remaining with the Mavericks until his retirement in 2005. Over that span, his playing time slowly declined, mainly due to some injuries and constant juggling of the team's lineups and rotations by coach Don Nelson
. In particular, Bradley's offensive role became very limited, but he remained an imposing defensive presence. In fact, in the 2000-01 season, he broke his own team record by blocking 228 shots for Dallas - the highest total in the NBA that year. The Mavericks emerged as a perennial playoff contender, mostly due to the rise of star players such as Dirk Nowitzki
and Steve Nash
, but Bradley's defense made a significant contribution. He finished his career with averages of 8.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 23.5 minutes of action per game.
; he and Dallas teammate Dirk Nowitzki
were members of the German national basketball team that finished in fourth place at the EuroBasket 2001
in Turkey
.
In order to participate in this tournament, Bradley made use of his German birth to obtain German citizenship.
, a coeducational private school for at-risk youths in West Jordan, Utah
. Bradley's role with the school involves some of the functions of a vice principal, counselor, and coach. Describing Bradley, school executive director Ken Allen said, "Shawn has a great presence—due to his size—and has immediate credibility with the kids. His instant credibility when he's talking to kids makes him an incredible mentor. He is a great example of someone who has worked hard and been very successful. Being so tall wasn't always easy for him. He knows about being the 'odd kid' and dealing with that."
On March 19, 2010, Bradley filed papers to run as a Republican
against incumbent Democratic
Rep. Tim Cosgrove
for the 44th District seat in the Utah House of Representatives
. On November 2, 2010, Bradley lost the election to Cosgrove, earning 46.49% of the vote against Cosgrove's 51.13%.
Bradley is a devout Mormon. When he was 19, he served for two years as a Mormon missionary
for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New South Wales
, Australia
.
Bradley has participated in many charitable endeavors. In the 2000-01 season he donated $25 for each blocked shot to Bryan's House, a managed facility for children affected by HIV and AIDS. He is a national spokesman for the Children's Miracle Network. Bradley has also participated in the "Basketball Without Borders" program with other NBA players like Dikembe Mutombo
, DeSagana Diop
and Malik Rose
and found his experiences with children in Africa
uplifting. He and his family have also participated in treating leprosy colonies in India through the Rising Star Outreach.
in 1996, depicted as one of the NBA stars who lose their talent alongside Muggsy Bogues
, Larry Johnson, Charles Barkley
, and Patrick Ewing
. He also appeared as himself in an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger
, and had a cameo appearance as an auto mechanic in The Singles Ward
movie. In 2011, he appeared in a music video tribute to Jimmer Fredette
, along with former BYU football star Chad Lewis
and legendary coach LaVell Edwards
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
(dual citizen) basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who played center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
for the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. At tall, Bradley was one of the tallest players in NBA history. Though born in Landstuhl
Landstuhl
Landstuhl , literally translating as "country-throne", is a municipality of over 9,000 people in southwestern Germany. It is part of the district of Kaiserslautern, in the Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, and is home to the Sickinger Schloss, a small castle. It is situated on the north-western edge...
, West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, Bradley grew up in Castle Dale
Castle Dale, Utah
Castle Dale is a city in Emery County, Utah, United States. The population was 1,657 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Emery County.-History:...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
.
High school career
Bradley played for Emery High School from 1987 to 1990. He was one of the most successful basketball players in UtahUtah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
high school history, finishing with career averages of 20.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.4 blocked shots per game. During his time at the school, Emery racked up a 68-4 record and won two state championships. Bradley was named All-State three times and twice earned the season MVP award. In his senior year, he averaged 25 points, 17 rebounds, and 9 blocks per contest. He was named All-American by several national publications, including Dick Vitale
Dick Vitale
Richard J. "Dick" Vitale , also known as "Dickie V", is an American basketball sportscaster. A former head coach in the college and professional ranks, he is well-known as a college basketball broadcaster and for the enthusiastic and colorful remarks he makes during games. He is known for his...
's, McDonald's, Parade Magazine, Street and Smith, USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
, and others. He also turned in a strong performance at the McDonald's All-American Game (12 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks), earning the Most Valuable Player award for the West team. As of 2011, Bradley still holds Utah state records for blocked shots in a single game (17), season (208), and career (506).
College career
Bradley was heavily recruited by many colleges from across the country, but ultimately chose to play at Brigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
. During his freshman season (1990-91), he started all 34 games for BYU, averaging 14.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. But his main contribution to the team was shot-blocking: he led the entire nation in total blocks (177) and average (5.2 per game) - setting an NCAA freshman record in both categories. In one game against Eastern Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University, commonly referred to as Eastern or by the acronym EKU by local residents, is an undergraduate and graduate teaching and research institution located in Richmond, Kentucky, U.S.A.. EKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
, Bradley blocked 14 shots, tying the NCAA single-game record set by Navy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
's David Robinson
David Robinson (basketball)
David Maurice Robinson is a retired American NBA basketball player, who played center for the San Antonio Spurs for his entire NBA career. Based on his prior service as an officer in the United States Navy, Robinson earned the nickname "The Admiral". He and teammate power forward Tim Duncan were...
in 1986. In that same game, Bradley also established a new career high by scoring 29 points.
BYU qualified for the NCAA Tournament that season, and Bradley continued his dominating defense. In a first round game against Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, he set a tournament single-game record with 10 blocked shots, leading the Cougars to a 61-48 victory. However, he struggled with foul trouble in the second round, and BYU lost to Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
, 76-61.
Bradley collected several awards and honors for his outstanding freshman season. He was named the Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
Player of the Year, in addition to All-WAC defensive team and newcomer team honors. He was also named Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
.
After the end of the season, he left school to serve as a missionary
Missionary (LDS Church)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010...
for the LDS Church. After finishing a two-year mission to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, he decided not to return to college basketball. Instead, he entered the 1993 NBA Draft
1993 NBA Draft
The 1993 NBA Draft took place on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The draft had some talented players at the top, but injuries and personal problems hurt many of them. Anfernee Hardaway, Allan Houston, and Jamal Mashburn all looked like possible Hall of Famers until their careers were cut...
.
Philadelphia 76ers
Bradley entered the professional ranks as one of the most intriguing and highly-debated prospects in the history of the NBA draft. Supporters claimed his tremendous size and surprising athleticism would allow him to dominate the league. Critics argued that he would struggle in the NBA due to his thin build (listed at just 235 pounds) and lack of experience (just one season of college basketball, followed by a two-year hiatus from the sport due to his church mission). Ultimately, he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
with the second overall pick, behind Chris Webber
Chris Webber
Mayce Edward Christopher "Chris" Webber, III , nicknamed C-Webb, is a retired American professional basketball player. He is a five-time NBA All-Star, a former All-NBA First Teamer, a former NBA Rookie of the Year, and a former #1 overall NBA Draftee...
and ahead of Penny Hardaway
Penny Hardaway
Anfernee Deon "Penny" Hardaway is a former American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association , specializing as a small forward, shooting guard, and point guard. His most productive years came in his days as a member of the Orlando Magic as well as the early...
. Given the novelty of a 7-foot-6 center playing for the 76ers, Bradley was issued jersey number 76.
Philadelphia's management saw Bradley as a major project with huge long-term potential. The team acquired legendary big man Moses Malone
Moses Malone
Moses Eugene Malone is a retired American Hall of Fame basketball player who starred in both the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association...
to serve as a mentor for Bradley, hoping to develop his skills in the low post. Also, the franchise hired strength and conditioning consultant Pat Croce
Pat Croce
Pasquale "Pat" Croce is an American entrepreneur, sports team executive and owner, author, and TV personality....
and registered dietitian Jeanie Subach to add bulk to Bradley's skinny frame. His rookie season (1993-94) produced mixed results. In his first game, Bradley totaled just 6 points and 5 rebounds before he was replaced by Malone, who led the team to victory. However, Bradley managed to block 8 shots in just 25 minutes in that contest.
It was a sign of things to come. For much of his career, Bradley was inconsistent in scoring and rebounding, but he always excelled at blocking shots. He averaged 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game in his first season - good enough to earn NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors. But he shot a dismal 40.9 percent from the floor and constantly struggled with turnovers and foul trouble. He suffered a season-ending injury in February of that year, dislocating his kneecap in a collision with Portland's Harvey Grant
Harvey Grant
Harvey Grant is a retired American National Basketball Association basketball player. He is the identical twin brother of Horace Grant, also a former NBA player...
.
Bradley returned to full strength in his second season, playing in all 82 games for the 76ers. His scoring actually declined a bit (9.5 points per game), but his rebounding and shot-blocking increased. He racked up 274 rejections, setting a franchise record for most blocks in a single season. Bradley gave Philly fans a glimpse of his potential in a contest against the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in November, posting career highs of 28 points and 22 rebounds in a 97-83 victory. He also tied a career high with 9 blocked shots, and was credited with 9 additional "intimidations" as the Clippers were held to their lowest-ever point total against the 76ers. He finished the season in strong fashion, posting 13 double-doubles in his last 17 games.
New Jersey Nets
However, despite these highlights, Bradley continued to baffle and frustrate Philadelphia with his inconsistent play. Just 12 games into his third season (1995-96), the 76ers ended the "Shawn Bradley Experiment", trading him to the New Jersey NetsNew Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for Derrick Coleman
Derrick Coleman
Derrick D. Coleman is a retired American basketball player in the NBA. Coleman grew up and attended high school in Detroit, Michigan and attended college at Syracuse University...
. He played the final 67 games of the year with the Nets, and tantalized New Jersey fans with some strong play in the second half of the season. In February, he dominated a match-up against fellow giant Gheorghe Muresan
Gheorghe Muresan
Gheorghe Dumitru Mureşan, , also known as Ghiţă or George, is a retired Romanian professional basketball player. At 7 ft 7 in , he is one of the tallest players in NBA history, along with Sudanese player Manute Bol, who was also 7 ft 7 in. Both Mureşan's parents are of average size, and,...
, leading the Nets to a 99-81 victory against the Washington Bullets. Bradley scored a season-high 27 points over the 7-foot-7 Muresan, and also added 9 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.
Bradley lifted his game to new levels in March of 1996. He posted a career-high 32 points and added 15 rebounds against Dallas
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
early in the month, and set another career high a week later with 10 blocked shots against the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
. He recorded his first career triple-double in the very next game, tallying 19 points, 17 rebounds, and a career-best 11 blocked shots in another match-up against Muresan and the Bullets. In April, Bradley posted back-to-back triple-doubles (against Boston
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
and Toronto
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
); in the process, he became the first player in NBA history to record consecutive games of double-figure blocked shots twice in a single season. His season averages for 1995-96 were 11.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game - all career highs.
The Nets began the 1996-97 season under new management: John Calipari
John Calipari
John Calipari is an American basketball coach. Since April 2009, he has been the men's head coach at the University of Kentucky....
was named head coach in the off-season, and John Nash
John Nash (basketball)
John Nash was a NBA General Manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Washington Bullets. He also has worked as a broadcaster for Comcast, and in several other NBA front office jobs....
replaced Willis Reed
Willis Reed
Willis Reed, Jr. is a retired American basketball player, coach and manager of basketball teams. He spent his entire professional playing career with the New York Knicks. In 1982, his outstanding record and achievements were recognized by his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall...
as general manager. Reed had been a big believer in Bradley, but Calipari and Nash weren't nearly as excited about the 7-foot-6 enigma. In an effort to save some cash against the salary cap, the Nets traded their big center (and his big contract) to the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster mid-season deal that involved nine players.
Dallas Mavericks
Bradley embraced yet another "fresh start" with a new franchise. With increased playing time in Dallas, Bradley posted some of the best numbers of his career. In a game against the Clippers, he tied his career high by scoring 32 points - the most ever by a center in the history of the Mavericks franchise. He also added a season-high 16 rebounds in that same contest. He finished the year with averages of 13.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game - breaking career highs set during the previous season. But most importantly, Bradley provided strong defense in the paint that Dallas had been lacking before his arrival. In fact, Bradley finished the year as the top shot-blocker in the entire league, averaging 3.4 swats per contest. It was the first time any Mavericks player had ever led the NBA in any statistical category.And yet, Bradley continued to be plagued by maddening inconsistency that defined his entire professional career. During the 1997-98 season, Dallas coach Jim Cleamons
Jim Cleamons
James Mitchell "Jim" Cleamons is a retired American professional basketball player and current coach. He played collegiately at The Ohio State University, and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 13th pick of the 1971 NBA Draft...
experimented by bringing Bradley off the bench in several games (instead of his usual role as starter). In one particular game, it paid off in major way: Bradley totaled 22 points, 22 rebounds, and a career-high 13 blocked shots in an April contest against the TrailBlazers. It was just the fifth time in NBA history that a player finished with at least 20 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 blocks in a single game, and it marked the first time ever that it was accomplished by a player who wasn't a starter in the game. The only other players to record a 20-20-10 game are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired American professional basketball player. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points. During his career with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships and a record six regular season...
, Elvin Hayes
Elvin Hayes
Elvin Ernest Hayes is a retired American basketball player and radio analyst for Houston Cougars men's basketball, where he played college basketball...
, Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player. From 1984 to 2002, he played the center position in the National Basketball Association for the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors. He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. In 2008,...
, and Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal , nicknamed "Shaq" , is a former American professional basketball player. Standing tall and weighing , he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA...
. Bradley finished the year with a team-record 214 blocked shots; his average of 3.3 per game ranked third in the NBA.
Bradley played 7 more seasons in the league, remaining with the Mavericks until his retirement in 2005. Over that span, his playing time slowly declined, mainly due to some injuries and constant juggling of the team's lineups and rotations by coach Don Nelson
Don Nelson
Donald Arvid "Don" Nelson is a former NBA player and head coach. He coached the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Golden State Warriors....
. In particular, Bradley's offensive role became very limited, but he remained an imposing defensive presence. In fact, in the 2000-01 season, he broke his own team record by blocking 228 shots for Dallas - the highest total in the NBA that year. The Mavericks emerged as a perennial playoff contender, mostly due to the rise of star players such as Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Werner Nowitzki is a German professional basketball player who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association...
and Steve Nash
Steve Nash
Stephen John "Steve" Nash, OC, OBC is a South African-born Canadian professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association . Nash enjoyed a successful high-school basketball career, and he was eventually given a scholarship by Santa Clara...
, but Bradley's defense made a significant contribution. He finished his career with averages of 8.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 23.5 minutes of action per game.
International career
Bradley has competed internationally for GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
; he and Dallas teammate Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Werner Nowitzki is a German professional basketball player who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association...
were members of the German national basketball team that finished in fourth place at the EuroBasket 2001
EuroBasket 2001
The EuroBasket 2001 was the 32nd EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Turkey, began on 31 August 2001 and concluded with the final on 9 September 2001. Yugoslavia won the gold medal,...
in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
In order to participate in this tournament, Bradley made use of his German birth to obtain German citizenship.
Post-basketball career
After his retirement as a player, Bradley became involved with West Ridge AcademyWest Ridge Academy
West Ridge Academy , is a youth residential treatment center based in West Jordan, Utah, USA. It seeks to provide clinical services, education, and other programs for teens, both girls and boys, that are identified as at risk. Until 2005, the Utah Boys Ranch was male-only...
, a coeducational private school for at-risk youths in West Jordan, Utah
West Jordan, Utah
West Jordan is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. West Jordan is a rapidly growing suburb of Salt Lake City and has a mixed economy. According to the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 103,712, placing it as the fourth most populated in the state. The city occupies the...
. Bradley's role with the school involves some of the functions of a vice principal, counselor, and coach. Describing Bradley, school executive director Ken Allen said, "Shawn has a great presence—due to his size—and has immediate credibility with the kids. His instant credibility when he's talking to kids makes him an incredible mentor. He is a great example of someone who has worked hard and been very successful. Being so tall wasn't always easy for him. He knows about being the 'odd kid' and dealing with that."
On March 19, 2010, Bradley filed papers to run as a Republican
Utah Republican Party
The Utah State Republican Party works to nominate and support the election of Republican candidates in partisan races for public office in the state of Utah...
against incumbent Democratic
Utah Democratic Party
The Utah State Democratic Party works to elect Democrats to office in the state of Utah. The Utah Democratic Party, like other national, state, and county parties, maintains a party platform that lists general principles or issues of importance to members of the Utah Democratic Party and maintains...
Rep. Tim Cosgrove
Tim Cosgrove
Timothy Michael Cosgrove is a Democratic member of the Utah State House of Representatives, representing the 44th District since 2005. Tim Cosgrove is a graduate of Weber State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in political science. Tim went on to earn his Masters of Arts in Political...
for the 44th District seat in the Utah House of Representatives
Utah House of Representatives
The Utah House of Representatives is the lower house of the Utah State Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Utah. The House is composed of 75 representatives elected from single member constituent districts. Each district contains an average population of 35,000 people...
. On November 2, 2010, Bradley lost the election to Cosgrove, earning 46.49% of the vote against Cosgrove's 51.13%.
Personal life
As of 2006, Bradley and his wife Annette have six children: daughters Cheyenne, Ciera, Chelsea, and Charity and sons Chance and Chase. He lives as a Utah cattle rancher and enjoys baseball, water skiing and horseback riding and likes listening to country music.Bradley is a devout Mormon. When he was 19, he served for two years as a Mormon missionary
Mormon missionary
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010...
for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Bradley has participated in many charitable endeavors. In the 2000-01 season he donated $25 for each blocked shot to Bryan's House, a managed facility for children affected by HIV and AIDS. He is a national spokesman for the Children's Miracle Network. Bradley has also participated in the "Basketball Without Borders" program with other NBA players like Dikembe Mutombo
Dikembe Mutombo
Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo , commonly referred to as Dikembe Mutombo, is a retired Congolese American professional basketball player who last played for the Houston Rockets of the NBA...
, DeSagana Diop
DeSagana Diop
DeSagana N'gagne Diop is a Senegalese professional basketball player who currently plays for the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats. Standing seven feet tall and weighing 280 lbs...
and Malik Rose
Malik Rose
Malik Jabari Rose is an American former professional basketball player, and current broadcaster, serving as a studio analyst for the New York Knicks, and the lead color analyst for the NBA D-League team, the Austin Toros.-High school and college:Rose graduated from Overbrook High School in...
and found his experiences with children in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
uplifting. He and his family have also participated in treating leprosy colonies in India through the Rising Star Outreach.
TV and movie appearances
Bradley had a role in the film Space JamSpace Jam
Aside from Jordan, a number of NBA players and coaches appeared in the film. Larry Bird portrays a friend of Jordan who joins him for a game of golf. When the Monstars steal the NBA players' talent, they invade a game between the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks, causing the Knicks' Patrick...
in 1996, depicted as one of the NBA stars who lose their talent alongside Muggsy Bogues
Muggsy Bogues
Tyrone Curtis "Muggsy" Bogues is a retired American professional basketball player and former head coach of the now-defunct Charlotte Sting of the Women's National Basketball Association . The shortest player ever to play in the NBA, the Bogues played point guard for four teams during his...
, Larry Johnson, Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley
Charles Wade Barkley is a former American professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Sir Charles" and "The Round Mound of Rebound", Barkley established himself as one of the National Basketball Association's most dominating power forwards...
, and Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing
Patrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. is a Jamaican-American retired Hall of Fame basketball player and current assistant coach for the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. He played most of his career with the NBA's New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly with the Seattle...
. He also appeared as himself in an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger
Walker, Texas Ranger
Walker, Texas Ranger is an American television action crime drama series created by Leslie Greif and Paul Haggis, and starring Chuck Norris as a member of the Texas Ranger Division. The show aired on CBS in the spring of 1993, with the first season consisting of three pilot episodes. Eight full...
, and had a cameo appearance as an auto mechanic in The Singles Ward
The Singles Ward
The Singles Ward is a 2002 LDS cinema comedy film directed by Kurt Hale and written by Kurt Hale and John E. Moyer based on his own life as a stand up comedian and single member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
movie. In 2011, he appeared in a music video tribute to Jimmer Fredette
Jimmer Fredette
James Taft "Jimmer" Fredette is an American professional basketball player with the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association...
, along with former BYU football star Chad Lewis
Chad Lewis
Chad Wayne Lewis is a former American football tight end in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and St. Louis Rams.-Early life:...
and legendary coach LaVell Edwards
LaVell Edwards
R. LaVell Edwards is a former American football coach of Brigham Young University . With 257 career victories, he ranks as one of the most successful college football coaches of all time...
.
See also
- List of National Basketball Association career blocks leaders
- List of National Basketball Association players with 10 or more blocks in a game
- List of tallest players in National Basketball Association history
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 13 or more blocks in a game