Former BYU Cougar and Dallas Maverick Shawn Bradley has announced he has been left paralyzed following a bicycling accident nearly two months ago.
In a statement released through the Mavericks, the 7-foot-6 former NBA player was riding his bicycle and was one block from his St. George home when he was struck from behind by an automobile Jan. 20. The accident caused a traumatic spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed.
Bradley underwent neck fusion surgery and has spent the last eight weeks hospitalized and undergoing rehabilitation.
(Jeff Allred | The Salt Lake Tribune) Shawn Bradley plays at Emery High in 1990.
The former Cougar, who grew up in Castle Dale and attend Emery High, plans to use his accident as a platform to bring greater public awareness to the importance of bicycle safety, according to a statement about the accident..
“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 said. “He plans to use his accident as a platform to bring greater public awareness to the importance of bicycle safety.”
After playing his freshman season at BYU, Bradley served a two-year church mission and was then drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers as the No. 2 pick in the 1993 NBA Draft. Bradley spent eight years of his 12-year NBA career with the Mavericks.
In his one season at BYU (1990-91), Bradley averaged 14.8, 7.2 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game. In his 14-year NBA career, he averaged 8.1 points, 6.3 boards and 2.5 blocks per contest.
“We are saddened to hear of Shawn’s accident,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said in a 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.”
