BRADLEY HEARTBREAK
Former Net who played role in Space Jam paralyzed in car-bike collision
Shawn Bradley, the 7-foot-6 center known for his 12-year NBA run and role in Space Jam, was paralyzed when he was hit by a car while riding his bike.
Former NBA center Shawn Bradley, who once played for the New Jersey Nets, was left paralyzed after he was hit by a car while riding his bike two months ago.
The 1993 No. 2 overall draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers was struck from behind while riding near his home in George, Utah, on Jan. 20, according to a statement released by the Dallas Mavericks.
“The accident caused a traumatic spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed,” the team said.
“After undergoing neck fusion surgery, Bradley has spent the last eight weeks hospitalized and undergoing rehabilitation.”
From 1995-97, Bradley, 48, played 107 games for the then-New Jersey Nets before being traded to Dallas and spending the final eight and a half seasons of his career with the Mavericks.
After starring alongside Michael Jordan, Patrick, Ewing, Larry Johnson and Muggsy Bogues in “Space Jam,” he was traded to the Mavericks in February 1997 where he finished out his playing career.
“With his wife Carrie at his side around the clock, and supported by an amazing team of rehabilitation specialists and family, Bradley is in good spirits,” the statement read, in part. “He plans to use his accident as a platform to bring greater public awareness to the importance of bicycle safety.”
The 7-6 Bradley played one season of college basketball at BYU before acting as a Mormon missionary in Australia for two years before he entered the NBA draft.
In November of 1995, the 76ers traded him to the Nets in a deal that sent Derrick Coleman to Philadelphia.
“We are saddened to hear of Shawn’s accident,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said in the statement. “Shawn has always been incredibly determined and shown a fighting spirit. We wish him nothing but the best in his recovery. He will always be a part of our Mavs family.”