Shawn Bradley is a German-American former professional NBA player who commenced his career with the Philadelphia 76ers in the center position. Moreover, the team drafted him in the first round of the 1993 NBA Draft.
Bradley expressed in an interview with Sports Illustrated in 2022, that he and his family are considering moving into a more wheelchair-friendly home in Dallas, Texas, as he continues his rehabilitation.
As quadriplegia, he has no medical precedent while explaining his height as a “hindrance” to his recovery.
Besides that, he played for the New Jersey Nets, now known as Brooklyn Nets. Finally, he ended his career after serving the Dallas Mavericks for eight years.
The basketball player also played collegiate basketball for Brigham Young University. However, he didn’t complete his college education.
Bradley chose to weigh out his chances in the NBA Draft. Aside from that, the athlete is quite famous as the tallest basketball player in the history of the NBA.
Shawn is one of the most outstanding players in the league. Likewise, he has received several awards and honors for his exceptional basketball skills.
Before getting into details about the former NBA center’s life and career, here are some quick facts about him.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Shawn Paul Bradley |
| Birth Date | March 22, 1972 |
| Birth Place | Landstuhl, West Germany |
| Nick Name | The Stormin’ Mormon |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | American, German |
| Ethnicity | German-American |
| Education | Brigham Young University |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Father’s Name | Reiner Bradley |
| Mother’s Name | Teresa Bradley |
| Siblings | Three; Justin, Adrianne, And Tasha |
| Age | 52 Years Old |
| Height | 7 ft 6 in / 2.29 m / 229 cm |
| Weight | 275 lb / 125 kg |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Build | Athletic |
| Profession | Former NBA Player |
| Former Team | Dallas Mavericks |
| Position | Center |
| Active Years | 1993-2005 |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Annette Everson |
| Kids | Six |
| Net Worth | $27 Million |
| Social Media | Not Available |
| Merch | Jersey |
| Last Update | April, 2024 |
Early Life, Family, And Education
Shawn Bradley was born in Landstuhl, West Germany; he represented the country nationally. Nevertheless, he also holds American citizenship in addition to German citizenship.
Similarly, the legendary player Dirk Nowitzki also comes from the same country as Shawn. His parents are Reiner Bradley and Teresa Bradley.
The family moved to the United States when Reiner was stationed in a U.S. military base medical facility. The athlete grew up on a farm just outside of Castle Dale, Utah.
He has three siblings, Justin, Adrianne, and Tasha Bradley.
The former Mavericks’s was raised alongside three siblings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was quite religious and earned the nickname the Stormin’ Mormon.
Bradley grew up in a loving and caring environment, and his parents supported him and his career choice.
The former NBA player often credits his parents for his work ethic and self-discipline. Likewise, he is grateful to his dad for teaching him the meaning of hard work.
Besides that, the basketballer was very into sports and used to play basketball and football with his siblings and a few friends.
He grew up to be an outstanding athlete in school and college. Moreover, everyone in his town and school knew Shawn because of his athletic abilities.
During his high school career, he received offers from colleges all over the state. Finally, Bradley decided to play for Brigham Young University.
The basketballer had an amazing freshman season with the BYU Cougars. However, he entered the 1993 NBA Draft after his first collegiate season.
Age, Height, And Weight
The former NBA player turned 52 years old. As a former athlete, the player takes great care of his health and diet.
Despite being in his 50s, he is very fit and healthy. Besides that, the athlete is quite popular for his height.
The basketballer is one of the tallest NBA players in the franchise’s history, standing at 2.29 meters. Furthermore, he weighs 235 lb, i.e., 107 kg. Besides, he has a wingspan of 90 inches.
On top of that, both of his parents are over six feet. A genetic study conducted in 2018 revealed that the player had a “scarce combination of thousands of common genetic variants that determine the human height.”
He is only an inch less than the tallest NBA player Gheorghe Mureșan.
High School And College Career
The athlete played high school basketball for the Emery Spartans, where he helped the school team win two state championships.
He played high school football, basketball, and baseball, and surprisingly, he was an exceptional athlete in all those sports. Furthermore, the former Mavs was a three-time All-State.
He won the MVP award at the McDonald’s All-American Game for the West team. Bradley is one of the most successful and famous players in the high school history of Utah.
As he chose Brigham Young University and played basketball for them, he started 34 games in his freshman season and set records left and right.
The former Nets center received several awards and honors for contributing to BYU’s freshman season.
The basketballer received the WAC Freshman of the Year title and was named All-WAC defensive team.
The former NBA player also received an Honorable Mention All-American from the Associated Press.
After that, Shawn took two years’ leave to be a full-time missionary in Sydney, Australia.
After returning from Australia, he entered the 1993 NBA Draft instead of studying.
NBA Career
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers drafted Bradley in the first round as the second pick overall.
Recruiters highly debated his selection in the NBA. Although the athlete’s height served as a plus point to NBA teams, his thin body made them doubt his abilities.
The 76ers issued him jersey number 76. The management saw him as a major project with huge long-term potential.
After that, Philadelphia’s management team hired legendary player Moses Malone as Shawn’s mentor.
In his rookie year, the German player didn’t manage to gather a lot of points.
However, the basketballer managed to block eight shots in 25 minutes. The German player also earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.
In a collision with Harvey Grant from Portland Trail Blazers, he dislocated his kneecap in his first NBA season. Nevertheless, the 76ers center returned bigger and better for the next season.
Bradley showed his potential in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, posting 28 points and 22 rebounds in a 97-83 victory.
The Stormin’ Mormon set the record for the most blocks in a single season that year. Despite that, he had low points per game, so he was traded to the New Jersey Nets.
New Jersey Nets
The basketballer was traded to the Nets at the start of the 1995 season. Shawn quickly found his place on the team and showcased his true skills.
Bradley made his first triple-double in the early 1996 season with the Nets. Furthermore, he was the only NBA player to record a double-figure number of blocked shots in consecutive games.
However, the Stormin’ Mormon was traded to the Mavericks under the new Net’s management.
Dallas Mavericks
The former 76ers center made remarkable improvements in the game with the Mavericks.
On top of that, the center was allowed more game time. In a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, he made 32 points, the most that a Mavs center has ever scored.
Shawn was unbeatable in defense and was the top shot-blocker in 1997.
Moreover, Bradley became the first NBA player to make at least 20 points, 20 rebounds, and ten blocks off the bench.
The center progress slowly declined in the following seasons, as he was constantly bothered by injuries.
Also, the athlete’s offensive roles in the team were limited, as Mavs star players Like Dirk Nowitzki overshadowed him.
Nevertheless, he was still leading the team in terms of defense. Eventually, in 2005, the basketballer announced his retirement.
Post Career
After retiring from the NBA, Bradley joined hands with West Ridge Academy. He helped a co-educational private school for at-risk youths as vice-principal, counselor, and coach.
Besides that, he also ran as a Republican against Democratic Representative Tim Cosgrove for the 44th District seat in Utah.
The former NBA center failed to secure enough votes to win the election.
He has also appeared in television series and movies. The basketballer was in Space Jam, The Singles Ward, Studio C, and Walker, Texas Ranger.
Career Highlights, Awards, And Stats
- 1990: Second-team Parade All-American, McDonald’s All-American Co-MVP
- 1991: Second-team All-WAC, NCAA blocks leader, WAC Freshman of the Year
- 1994: NBA All-Rookie Second Team
- 1997: NBA blocks leader
- 1989: Third-team Parade All-American, Utah Mr. Basketball
Summary Career Stats
According to his summary career stats, he has played 832 games and averaged 8.1 points. His total rebound percentage amounts to 6.3, while his assists adjusted is 0.7.
Furthermore, his FG% and FG3% are 45.7 and 10.3, respectively. Similarly, his free throws percentage is 71.6.
Fined For Not Attending A Strip Club Meeting
During his play career, the Stormin’ Mormon was fined $10 thousand for not attending a team meeting held in a strip club.
Bradley has chosen not to reveal the name of the team. It can be any team between the 76ers, the Nets, and the Mavs, and the meeting was mandatory and strictly for players only.
Shawn’s main priority before basketball was his religion. Hence, he chose not to attend the meeting and stay true to his morals and values. As a result of his absence, the team fined him $10 thousand.
Marriage, Wife, And Children
The former 76ers center was married to Annette Evertson. Although it is not confirmed, many sources claim them to be college sweethearts.
The two met before Bradley was drafted into the NBA. Moreover, she used to wait outside his basketball practices to meet him.
It was love at first sight for the couple who knew they were meant to end up together, and the adorable pair got married in 1993.
The pair has pushed through all the ups and downs to be together. Besides that, several media outlets and fans trolled them for their relationship.
The two have a significant height difference. Despite all the negativity, hate, and trolls, they were there for each other.
They are parents to six kids, including four daughters, namely Chelsea, Ciera, Charity, and Cheyenne, and two sons, Chase and Chance.
Almost all of his children are athletic. One of their daughters, Charity, played collegiate volleyball for Washington State University.
Subsequently, she is also a member of the Washington State Cougars women’s volleyball team.
They were together for over 27 years. Unfortunately, the pair divorced in 2017, Bradley married Carrie Cannon, and adopted her three children in 2019.
Accident
A motorist hit Bradley from behind while riding a bicycle near his home on 20 January 2021. Consequently, he had a traumatic spinal cord injury in his neck that left him paralyzed.
He underwent neck fusion surgery and spent eight weeks hospitalized in rehabilitation.
It occurred when a driver attempted to pass Bradley on the left in the same travel lane while passing another car parked on the shoulder of the road.
Net Worth And Salary
The former NBA player has earned quite a fortune throughout his career.
Moreover, his career earnings from 1993 to 2005 are over $45 million.
Shawn’s net worth estimation is $27 million. However, many sources claim the amount to be more than that.
Besides that, the former Mavs earned a fair amount through sponsorships. Many popular and well-known brands and companies sponsor him.
Furthermore, he also worked in several television series and movies. He appeared in Space Jam, Walker, Texas Ranger, The Singles Ward, etc.
Popularity Graph
Shawn Bradley is a former NBA player who was one of the tallest players.
The above graph shows Bradley’s popularity over the past twelve months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Is Shawn Bradley in the Hall of Fame?
No, Bradley is not inducted into the Hall of Fame. Nevertheless, he had an amazing career in the NBA. The basketballer is regarded as one of the best shot-blocker who puts up a great defense.
What year did Tracy McGrady dunk on Shawn Bradley?
Tracy McGrady dunked on Shawn Bradley during the first round of the 2005 NBA playoffs.
Is Shawn Bradley the founder of The Bradley Foundation?
No, the former basketballer is not the founder of The Bradley Foundation.
Is Shawn Bradley completely paralyzed after the bike accident?
According to sources, Shawn Bradley is completely paralyzed after being hit by a moving vehicle while riding his bike near his Utah home on January 20.
