Shawn Bradley

Shawn Paul Bradley was born on March 22, 1972. He is a German-American who played as a center in the NBA. His career spanned from 1993 to 2005. At 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m), he is one of the tallest players in NBA history. He is known for his shot-blocking skills, impressive height, and unique journey from Germany to the NBA and beyond.

Early Life and Family Background

Bradley was born at a U.S. military base in Landstuhl, West Germany. His father, Reiner Bradley (1949–2010), was a hospital administrator there. His mother, Teresa, stood 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m), contributing to a notably tall lineage. By the end of junior high, Shawn was 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m). By the end of his junior year in high school, he reached 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m). He was just one inch short of his adult height of 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m). In 2018, genetic analysis confirmed that Bradley’s tall stature came from a rare mix of genes that influence height, not from a disorder.

When Bradley was a child, his family moved to Castle Dale, Utah, where he was raised on a farm alongside his siblings. A devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints (LDS Church), Bradley maintained his faith throughout his career. Growing up on a farm and his later religious mission deeply influenced his character and work ethic.

High School Dominance

From 1987 to 1990, Bradley went to Emery High School in Huntington, Utah. He shined in basketball, football, and baseball. On the basketball court, he ruled over rivals. He averaged 20.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.4 blocks each game. Emery compiled a 68–4 record during his tenure and won two state championships. Bradley earned All‐State honors three times and was twice named the Utah State MVP. In his senior season, he averaged 25 points, 17 rebounds, and 9 blocks per game.

National publications praised his talent. They named him a Parade Magazine All-American, a USA Today All-American, and a McDonald’s All-American. In the 1990 McDonald’s All‐American Game, Bradley recorded 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks to earn West Team MVP. As of 2015, he still holds Utah state records for single‐game (18), single‐season (209), and career (605) blocked shots.

College and LDS Mission

Even with strong interest from UCLA, Arizona, Duke, Syracuse, and North Carolina, Bradley chose to sign with Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. In the 1990–91 season, he played all 34 games as a freshman. He averaged 14.8 points and 7.7 rebounds. He led the NCAA with 5.2 blocks per game, amassing a total of 177 blocks. This set new NCAA freshman records for both points and blocks. He blocked 14 shots against Eastern Kentucky. This tied the NCAA single-game record set by David Robinson in 1986. He also scored a career-high 29 points. In the NCAA tournament, Bradley blocked 10 shots against Virginia. This set a new record for a single game. His defense led BYU to win in the first round. For his performance, he was named WAC Freshman of the Year, All‐WAC Newcomer, All‐WAC Defensive Team, and received Honorable Mention All‐American by the Associated Press.

After his freshman year, Bradley went on a two-year mission for the LDS Church in Sydney, Australia, from 1991 to 1993. After returning, he declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his remaining NCAA eligibility.

NBA Career

Philadelphia 76ers (1993–1995)

In the 1993 NBA Draft, Bradley was picked second overall, right after Chris Webber. He joined the Philadelphia 76ers, who saw him as a long-term project. His size and athleticism gave them hope for his great potential. He weighed 235 pounds and had limited college experience. Still, he made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 1993–94. He averaged 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game. He shot 40.9 percent from the field. Still, he faced issues with turnovers and foul trouble. In February, he dislocated his kneecap, which cut his rookie season short.

In 1994–95, Bradley played all 82 games. He set a franchise record with 274 blocks. He averaged 9.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game. He had amazing games, scoring 28 points, grabbing 22 rebounds, and blocking 9 shots against the Los Angeles Clippers. In his last 17 games, he also recorded 13 double-doubles, highlighting his shot-blocking skill.

New Jersey Nets (1995–1997)

After twelve games in the 1995–96 season, Philadelphia traded Bradley to the New Jersey Nets. In exchange, they got Derrick Coleman. He made a quick impact on the Nets. He scored 27 points, tying his career high, and added 9 rebounds and 4 blocks against the Washington Bullets. In March 1996, Bradley put up 32 points and 15 rebounds against Dallas. He then followed that with 19 points, 17 rebounds, and 11 blocks against Detroit. It was his first career triple-double. He later recorded double-figure blocks in consecutive games twice in one season. This was a first in NBA history. He finished 1995–96 averaging career highs of 11.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game.

In the 1996–97 season, the Nets changed management. Coach John Calipari and GM John Nash were involved. This led to Bradley’s midseason trade to the Dallas Mavericks. It was a nine-player deal, mainly driven by salary-cap needs.

Dallas Mavericks (1997–2005)

Bradley shone with Dallas, averaging 13.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game in 1997–98. His block average was the best in the league, making him the first Maverick to lead the NBA in any stat. In April 1998, he faced the Portland Trail Blazers. In that game, he became the first player to score 20 points, grab 20 rebounds, and block 10 shots off the bench. He joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O’Neal in a rare group.

In the next seven seasons, Bradley’s playing time went down due to injuries and rotation shifts. However, he continued to be a powerful force on defense. In 2000–01, he again led the NBA with 228 blocks. During Dallas’s rise as a playoff team with Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, Bradley’s defense was key. He averaged 8.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 23.5 minutes over 832 regular-season games.

Career NBA Statistics (Regular Season)

All career statistics sourced from NBA records.

International Career

Since he was born in Germany, Bradley got German citizenship and became part of the national team. He helped Germany, with Dirk Nowitzki, finish fourth at EuroBasket 2001 in Turkey. His dual citizenship allowed him to represent Germany without violating FIBA eligibility rules.

Post‐Basketball Career

After retiring in 2005, Bradley joined West Ridge Academy in West Jordan, Utah. This private school helps at-risk youth. He served as a counselor, coach, and vice-principal. His tall presence and life experiences gave him instant credibility. He served as a mentor for troubled teens.

In 2010, Bradley ran for office. He filed as a Republican for Utah’s 44th House District. He challenged the Democratic incumbent, Tim Cosgrove. He narrowly lost the November election, garnering 46.49 percent to Cosgrove’s 51.13 percent.

Personal Life and Charitable Work

Bradley married Annette Evertson in 1993. They had six children: daughters Charity, Chelsea, Ciera, and Chayenne, and sons Chance and Chase. The couple later divorced. He later married Carrie Cannon in 2017 and adopted her three children in 2019. Bradley is mostly distant from his first six kids. However, he stays dedicated to Carrie and their blended family.

Throughout his career, Bradley engaged extensively in philanthropy. In 2000–01, he donated $25 for every blocked shot to Bryan’s House, a facility supporting children with HIV/AIDS. He has been a national spokesman for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. He took part in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program. He also worked with Rising Star Outreach to treat leprosy in India. His kindness off the court and his work in the community stand out just like his defense on the court.

Spinal Cord Injury

On January 20, 2021, Bradley was cycling near his Utah home. A motorist struck him from behind. This caused a serious spinal cord injury in his neck. As a result, he became paralyzed from the shoulders down. The accident occurred as he passed a parked car and drifted into the path of a minivan; the driver was not charged. Bradley’s height of 7 ft 6 in brought special challenges in rehab. Quadriplegia at this height has never been seen before. In 2022, Bradley and his family aimed to move to a wheelchair-accessible home in Dallas, Texas. He was continuing his intensive therapy.

Media Appearances

Bradley made several television and film appearances:

• Space Jam (1996): Played one of the NBA stars who lost their talent, joining Larry Johnson, Patrick Ewing, and more.
• Walker, Texas Ranger: Appeared as himself in an episode.
• The Singles Ward (2002): Cameo as an auto mechanic.
• Posterized (ESPN 30 for 30 short): This segment explores how often he finds himself in highlight-reel dunks.
• Studio C and a 2011 music video tribute to Jimmer Fredette.

His appearances showed he had appeal beyond basketball. They took advantage of his height and NBA fame.

Shawn Bradley’s journey spans from a high-school star to an NBA shot-blocker. He later became a mentor and public servant. His career showcases his incredible height, strong faith, defensive skill, and resilience through tough challenges. His lasting impact on and off the court cements his place in basketball lore and beyond.