Shawn Paul Bradley was born on March 22, 1972, in Landstuhl, West Germany.
He is a German-American former professional basketball player who played center for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Bradley was one of the tallest players in NBA history at 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m).
POLITICS
On March 19, 2010, Bradley filed papers to run as a Republican against incumbent Democratic Representative Tim Cosgrove for the 44th District seat in the Utah House of Representatives. On November 2, 2010, Bradley lost the election to Cosgrove.
FAMILY LIFE
Bradley’s family was stationed at the U.S. Military base medical facility so he grew up in Castle Dale, Utah. He holds German citizenship.
He and his siblings were raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Bradley was a standout basketball, football, and baseball player at Emery High School from 1987 to 1990.
He was one of the most successful basketball players in Utah high school history.
During his time at the school, Emery compiled a 68-4 record and won two state championships. Bradley was named All-State three times and twice earned the season MVP award. He 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 2015, Bradley still holds Utah state records for blocked shots in a single game (18), season (209), and career (605).
WIFE AND CHILDREN
Bradley and his first wife, Annette, had six children together: Bradley and his first wife, Annette, had six children together: Charity Bradley, Chance Bradley, Chase Bradley, Ciera Bradley, Cheyenne Bradley, Chelsea Bradley.
RELIGION
As a member of the LDS Church, while in the NBA, Bradley was fined for refusing to attend a mandatory meeting at a strip club, due to his religious beliefs.
CHARITY WORK
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 Hospitals. 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 has also participated in treating leprosy colonies in India through the Rising Star Outreach.
ACCIDENT
On January 20, 2021, Bradley was struck from behind by an automobile while riding his bicycle near his home in St. George’s, Utah, which resulted in a traumatic spinal cord injury in his neck that left him paralyzed.
CAREER
Bradley took a two-year leave of absence from Brigham Young University from 1991 to 1993 to serve as a full-time missionary for the LDS Church. He was assigned to serve in Sydney, Australia. After his mission, Bradley decided to forego his final three years of NCAA eligibility and declared for the NBA Draft.
Bradley entered the 1993 NBA Draft 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 (107 kg)) and lack of experience.
Ultimately, he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers 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.
He finished his first season in a strong fashion, posting 13 double-doubles in his last 17 games. In just 12 games into his third season (1995–96), the 76ers traded Bradley to the New Jersey Nets for Derrick Coleman. He played the final 67 games of the year with the Nets and tantalized Nets fans with some strong play in the second half of the season.
In an effort to save some cash against the salary cap, the Nets traded their big center to the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster mid-season deal that involved nine players.
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.
Bradley played 7 more seasons in the league, remaining with the Mavericks until his retirement in 2005. 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.
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.
NET WORTH
The retired basketball player is allegedly worth $27million according to Celebrity Net Worth.
