Avery Bradley

Avery Bradley

Bradley with the Texas Longhorns in 2010
No. 0 – Boston Celtics
Position Shooting guard
League NBA
Personal information
Born (1990-11-26) November 26, 1990
Tacoma, Washington
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight 180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school Bellarmine Prep
(Tacoma, Washington)
Findlay College Prep
(Henderson, Nevada)
College Texas (2009–2010)
NBA draft 2010 / Round: 1 / Pick: 19th overall
Selected by the Boston Celtics
Playing career 2010–present
Career history
2010–present Boston Celtics
2011 →Maine Red Claws
2011 Hapoel Jerusalem
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Avery Antonio Bradley, Jr. (born November 26, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Texas before being drafted 19th overall by the Celtics in the 2010 NBA draft. A longtime starter for the Celtics, he has twice been recognized as an NBA All-Defensive Team member.

Early life

Bradley was born on November 26, 1990 in Tacoma, Washington to Alicia Jones-Bradley and Avery Bradley, Sr. He has two older brothers, one older sister, and one younger brother. His mother worked in a welfare office, while his father had a 22-year military career. After the two divorced in 2001, Bradley lived with his mother but maintained a strong relationship with his father, whose career took him all over the country.[1] He became a Texas fan when his family lived in Arlington, Texas from 2001 to 2004. He and his family moved back to Tacoma in the summer of 2004, prior to his eighth grade year.[2] Bradley was AAU teammates with future Boston Celtics teammate Isaiah Thomas.[3]

High school career

Bradley was ranked as one of the top high school basketball players in the class of 2009. He was rated #1 in the ESPNU100,[4] #4 by Rivals.com,[5] and #5 by Scout.com.[6] Bradley led Findlay College Prep to the National High School Basketball championship against Oak Hill Academy, and won 56–53. After leading Findlay to the championship, Bradley was named National High School Basketball Player of the Year by Parade Magazine. He played in the 2009 McDonald's All-American Game and won the 2009 McDonald's High School All-American Dunk Contest. Before transferring to Findlay Prep for his senior season, Bradley was a three-year starter at Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma, Washington, and along with University of Washington recruit Abdul Gaddy, led Bellarmine Prep to the Class 4A state semi-finals with a 25-4 mark as a junior.[7]

College career

Bradley attended the University of Texas at Austin.[7] Bradley found the Texas Longhorns basketball program appealing in part because he had spent parts of his childhood in Arlington, where he became a fan of T. J. Ford.[8]

As a freshman in 2009–10, Bradley averaged 11.6 points for the Longhorns and established himself as one of the top defensive guards in the country.[9] He subsequently earned Big 12 All-Rookie Team and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.

In April 2010, Bradley declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility.[10]

College statistics

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2009–10 Texas 343229.5.432.375.5452.92.11.3.511.6

Professional career

Boston Celtics (2010–present)

2010–11 season

Bradley was selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. On July 2, 2010, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Celtics.[11] The same day, he underwent successful ankle surgery and subsequently missed the 2010 NBA Summer League.[12]

Still just 19 years old, Bradley joined a Celtics team that was one of the best in the Eastern Conference. Thus, he did not see his first regular season action until the fourteenth game of the season, a 23-point win over the Atlanta Hawks in which Bradley scored two points and committed two turnovers.[13] On January 14, 2011, Bradley was assigned to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League and on the same day made his debut game for the team, playing 21 minutes and scoring 11 points.[14] Following a spinal cord injury to Marquis Daniels during a game against the Orlando Magic on February 6, 2011, Bradley was recalled by the Boston Celtics on February 7, and joined the team for the game against the Charlotte Bobcats.[15]

In the one Celtics game of Bradley's rookie season in which he played more than 15 minutes, Bradley scored 20 points to go with three rebounds, two assists and two steals. However, he played ten or more minutes in just two other NBA games and did not appear in any of the Celtics' postseason contests.[13] On June 30, 2011, the Celtics exercised their third-year team option on Bradley's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2012–13 season.[16]

Bradley defending Jordan Crawford in 2011.

2011–12 season

Bradley going up for a layup in 2012.

In October 2011, Bradley signed with Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League for the duration of the NBA lockout.[17] He played three games with the team, averaging 13.7 points per game.

During the 2011–12 NBA season, Bradley enjoyed much more playing time and was promoted to a starting role following an injury to Ray Allen. Bradley's scoring output increased significantly during the season, and he managed a career high 28 points against the Atlanta Hawks on April 20, 2012. He also received praise for his tremendous hustle and defense, including memorable blocks on Dwyane Wade and Russell Westbrook, among others. However, Bradley suffered a dislocated shoulder during the 2012 NBA Playoffs. This injury, which led to season-ending surgery, was a significant setback to the Celtics, who lost in seven games to the Miami Heat in the Conference Finals.

2012–13 season

On October 30, 2012, the Celtics exercised their fourth-year team option on Bradley's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2013–14 season.[18] With Bradley still sidelined for the beginning of the 2012–13 NBA season, the aging Celtics struggled with the duo of Courtney Lee and Jason Terry receiving the majority of minutes at shooting guard. On January 2, 2013, Bradley returned to action against the Memphis Grizzlies, regaining his spot as the starting shooting guard and providing a significant boost to the team, evident by their winning six out of Bradley's first seven games back. However, the season was ultimately a disappointment for both Bradley and the Celtics. Although he led the league in fewest points per play allowed on defense, at 0.697,[19] he struggled offensively, shooting just 40.2 percent from the field and managing 15 or more points just five times in 50 regular season games. The Celtics lost any realistic chance of contention when point guard Rajon Rondo went down with a torn ACL on January 27,[20] leaving them without their most dynamic player. After falling behind three games to none against the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, Boston mounted a furious comeback, winning two games and narrowly losing Game 6. Bradley, whose play in the series had mirrored the ineffectiveness of the team, provided a gutsy effort at the end of the game, making all four of his shots and stealing the ball three times in the last ten minutes.[19] The Celtics entered the offseason with an eye toward the future and Bradley a vital part of their plans to rebuild a contender.

2013–14 season

The Celtics ended an era on the day of the 2013 NBA draft, trading ageing stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, as well as Jason Terry, to the Brooklyn Nets. The Celtics also declined to sign Bradley to a contract extension before the October 31, 2013 deadline, allowing him to become a restricted free agent in 2014.[21] However, new Celtics coach Brad Stevens professed his trust in Bradley, who, in the absence of the injured Rondo, began the 2013–14 NBA season as the team's starting point guard. Bradley's time at point guard lasted just four disappointing games; he had more turnovers than assists, and the Celtics lost all four times.[22] In an effort to turn the team around, Stevens named Jordan Crawford the new point guard, allowing Bradley to move to his natural shooting guard. The move worked brilliantly, as the Celtics immediately went on a four-game winning streak and the more comfortable Bradley settled nicely into his role on the team.[23] Although the Celtics' lack of talent and experience began to show itself as the season went along, particularly with Rondo still out, Bradley was a rare bright spot, increasing his scoring average every month through January. He was especially effective in December, shooting a fantastic 50 percent on three-pointers and making 48.7 percent of his shots overall.[22] Unfortunately, on January 21, in just the third game all season that Rondo was active, Bradley sprained his right ankle[24] and ended up missing five contests. Shortly after returning, on February 5, he re-sprained the same ankle. Determined to be cautious, Stevens still had not set a return date for Bradley as the Celtics headed into the All-Star break more than a week later.[25]

Bradley ultimately returned to action on March 14. In his fourth game back, a win over the Miami Heat, he connected on a career high six three-pointers as part of a 23-point effort,[26] then followed it up with 28 points, matching his career high, the next game.[27] When healthy, Bradley played significant minutes and played effectively in the final stretch of the season, scoring at least 18 points in the team's last five games.[22] Bradley shouldered a higher percentage of the offensive workload for Celtics in 2013–14, and he responded by greatly improving his shooting from the previous season. In a rebuilding year for the team, one that saw them win only 25 games, Bradley stood out as one of their few consistent performers.

2014–15 season

With Bradley set to become a restricted free agent in July 2014, the Celtics needed to extend a qualifying offer of $3.6 million in order to be able to match any contract offered by another team, which they did on June 30.[28] On July 15, Bradley re-signed with the Celtics[29] to a four-year, $32 million contract.[30][31] Although the Celtics had high hopes for their backcourt pairing of Bradley and Rajon Rondo, both now healthy, they were soon dealt a setback when Rondo broke his hand a month before the 2014–15 season.[32] Although the team planned to be cautious with Rondo's injury, Brad Stevens made the decision to keep Bradley at shooting guard even with Rondo out, with a mix of rookie Marcus Smart, second-year guard Phil Pressey and new acquisition Evan Turner playing point guard.[33]

Despite the concerns, Rondo ultimately surprised many by being ready for opening night. Bradley continued to play harassing defense and scored in double digits in 13 of the team's first 15 games,[34] including a career-high 32 points in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.[35] The Celtics, however, struggled to a 4–11 start. Meanwhile, Bradley's offense cooled off in December, as he shot just 39 percent from the field for that month and made just 1-of-21 three-point attempts over a six-game stretch. Faced with a 9–14 record on December 18, Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge made the difficult decision to part with Rondo, trading him and rookie Dwight Powell to the Dallas Mavericks for Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson and two draft picks.[36] Pundits such as Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose portrayed the trade as a surrender to a mediocrity, with the hopes of getting a high draft pick at season's end,[37] and the Celtics continued to struggle after Rondo's exit.

However, under the tutelage of Brad Stevens, and with the help of trade acquisition Isaiah Thomas,[38] the young Celtics gradually improved. After failing to post winning records in November, December or January, they did so in February, March and April, and won eight of the season's last nine games.[39] Bradley's offensive output was especially effective in February, as he managed over 18 points per game in the month while shooting 47 percent from the field and over 40 percent from three-point range.[40] Although a shoulder injury sidelined him for three games between March 6 and March 9, he returned to score 17 points against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 11.[41] For the regular season, Bradley led the Celtics in minutes played and points,[42] although his points per game and shooting percentages declined slightly from 2013–14.[43] A 40–42 record saw the Celtics earn the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Their playoff series was brief, as the eventual conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Celtics 4–0. Bradley played 40 out of the 48 minutes in the last game of the series, but his 16 points was not enough to overcome LeBron James and the Cavaliers. Nevertheless, the 2014–15 season was a surprise success for the Celtics and another solid year, and a relatively healthy year, for Bradley.

2015–16 season

Fresh off of their first playoff appearance in the Brad Stevens era, the Celtics entered 2015–16 campaign eager to prove that it had not been a fluke. Acquiring veteran forwards David Lee and Amir Johnson to fortify their frontcourt, the team also hoped to see the continued improvement of their promising young players, including Marcus Smart and Jared Sullinger. They started the year off slow, winning just one of their first four. Bradley provided a rare highlight, however, throwing down a tremendous dunk on reigning Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard.[44] After missing two games with a calf injury, Bradley returned to action as a sixth man after starting 224 of 226 Celtics games in which he was healthy. He excelled in his new role, improving his scoring, efficiency and defensive rating.[45] Bradley soon returned to the starting lineup on November 22 and proved himself highly capable in either role, immediately managing two games in a row with at least 25 points and 13 in a row with at least 10 points.

Bradley missed three games in early January with a hip injury,[46] and upon his return, the Celtics emerged as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Bradley contributed a number of memorable performances. On January 27, he scored 21 of his season-high tying 27 points in the first half of the Celtics' 111–103 win over the Denver Nuggets.[47] On February 5, he connected on a game-winning three-pointer to give Boston a 104–103 win over the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers.[48][49] On February 29, he blocked a shot from Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward with 23 seconds left in the game to give the Celtics a win.[50] For the season, Bradley was his team's second leading scorer, behind only All-Star Isaiah Thomas.

With a 48–34 record, the Celtics finished the regular season in a four-way tie for the third seed in Eastern Conference and were assigned the fifth seed based on tiebreaker rules. Drawing the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs, the Celtics narrowly lost in Game 1, as Bradley scored 18 points but went down in the fourth quarter with an apparent right hamstring injury.[51] The injury turned out to be serious enough to sideline Bradley for the rest of the series,[52] which turned out to be a crippling blow for the Celtics. They were considerably outplayed by the Hawks in his absence, particularly on offense, and lost the series in six games. However, Bradley's sixth NBA season was both an individual and team success, capped off when he was included in the NBA All-Defensive First Team.[53]

2016–17 season

With the offseason acquisitions of All-Star forward Al Horford and third overall draft pick Jaylen Brown before the 2016-17 season, the Celtics looked ready to take the next step towards title contention. Bradley began the year at an extremely high level. After managing 17 points in a season opening victory,[54] he added 31 points on a career-best eight three-pointers, as well as 11 rebounds, in another win three days later.[55]

Player profile

Although he has a build more typical of a point guard, Bradley mostly plays shooting guard. Making up for his lack of size at the position with quickness, strength and tenacity, Bradley excels at defense. Opponents Damian Lillard and C. J. McCollum have called him the best perimeter defender in NBA.[56][57] Bradley has outstanding athleticism and explosiveness, having won the Slam Dunk Contest at the 2009 McDonald's All-American Game. However, he rarely displays his elite leaping ability in games, occasionally blocking players at the rim or throwing down dunks but more often simply harassing his man on the perimeter and settling for layups. Bradley has nevertheless become an increasingly valuable offensive player, especially as a reliable three-point shooter. Bradley's intense and frenetic defensive style of play, probably his most valuable asset, may also be partly to blame for the series of injuries he has suffered in his career. However, his most serious injuries, which required three surgeries by the time he was 23,[58] happened early in his career. Bradley has become an increasingly important member of the Celtics over his tenure with the team, and his minutes played per game has increased in each of his first six seasons, from just 5.2 to 33.4.[43]

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 Boston 31 0 5.2 .343 .000 .500 .5 .4 .3 .0 1.7
2011–12 Boston 64 28 21.4 .498 .407 .795 1.8 1.4 .7 .2 7.6
2012–13 Boston 50 50 28.7 .402 .317 .755 2.2 2.1 1.3 .4 9.2
2013–14 Boston 60 58 30.9 .438 .395 .804 3.8 1.4 1.1 .2 14.9
2014–15 Boston 77 77 31.5 .429 .352 .790 3.1 1.8 1.1 .2 13.9
2015–16 Boston 76 72 33.4 .447 .361 .780 2.9 2.1 1.5 .3 15.2
Career 358 285 27.3 .438 .360 .781 2.6 1.6 1.1 .2 11.5

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2012 Boston 10 10 24.8 .368 .227 .667 2.0 .8 .8 .6 6.7
2013 Boston 6 6 31.8 .405 .250 1.000 2.2 1.3 1.8 .2 6.7
2015 Boston 4 4 33.3 .380 .263 .857 3.8 .8 .8 .0 12.3
2016 Boston 1 1 33.0 .438 .143 1.000 3.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 18.0
Career 21 21 28.8 .386 .232 .781 2.4 1.0 1.1 .4 8.3

Personal life

Bradley has a son, Avery Bradley III, who was born just two weeks after Bradley's mother died, in September 2013.[59] He began hosting a basketball camp, the Avery Bradley Skills Academy, for Boston-area children in the summer of 2014.[60]

In early 2016, Bradley shocked the Harshman family of Wesley Chapel, Florida by reaching out to them after the death of their 15-year-old son, Jaret. Bradley had been Jaret's favorite player, and touched by the tragedy, Bradley sent the family a letter and a signed jersey and invited them to a game. After meeting at the game, the Harshmans gave Bradley a bracelet to honor their son's memory, which Bradley wore in his next game.[61]

References

  1. ↑ Bradley already is well-connected
  2. ↑ "Avery Bradley Stats, Video, Bio, Profile". NBA.com. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  3. ↑ Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas share a childhood connection Archived July 9, 2015, at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ Avery Bradley – Basketball Recruiting – Player Profiles – ESPN
  5. ↑ AVERY BRADLEY – Yahoo
  6. ↑ Avery Bradley Player Profile News
  7. 1 2 AVERY BRADLEY - 2009-10 MEN'S BASKETBALL
  8. ↑ Hairopoulos, Kate (December 18, 2009). "Freshman Avery Bradley is fulfilling a childhood dream with spot on Texas Longhorns, big game in Arlington" (PDF). Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  9. ↑ Texas freshman to test NBA waters
  10. ↑ Texas' Avery Bradley Declares For NBA Draft, Won't Sign With Agent
  11. ↑ Bradley taken No. 19 overall in draft
  12. ↑ Bradley signs, has surgery
  13. 1 2 Avery Bradley Game-by-Game Stats (2010-11)
  14. ↑ Bradley assigned to D-League
  15. ↑ Avery Bradley recalled from D-League
  16. ↑ Celtics Exercise Contract Option on Avery Bradley for 2012-13 Season
  17. ↑ Bradley signs to play in Israel
  18. ↑ Celtics Exercise Fourth-Year Option on Guard Avery Bradley
  19. 1 2 Avery Bradley's sudden redemption
  20. ↑ Celtics' Rajon Rondo has torn ACL
  21. ↑ "Avery Bradley, Celtics fail to work out extension – Bradley will become restricted free agent next summer". CelticsLife.com. November 1, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  22. 1 2 3 "Avery Bradley 2013-14 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  23. ↑ Robb, Brian (December 31, 2013). "Robb: Avery Bradley Progressing Into One Of NBA's Most Well-Rounded Guards". cbslocal.com. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  24. ↑ Holmes, Baxter (January 22, 2014). "Avery Bradley out early with injured ankle". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  25. ↑ Washburn, Gary (February 13, 2014). "Celtics' Avery Bradley out indefinitely with ankle injury". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  26. ↑ Notebook: Celtics 101, Heat 96
  27. ↑ Bradley's career high can't keep Celtics from road loss to Nets
  28. ↑ Celtics Extend Qualifying Offer To Restricted Free Agent Avery Bradley
  29. ↑ Celtics Re-Sign Avery Bradley
  30. ↑ Avery Bradley to stay with Celtics
  31. ↑ Celtics Agree To Four-Year, $32M Deal With Avery Bradley
  32. ↑ Rajon Rondo describes breaking hand
  33. ↑ In pointed decision, Avery Bradley now a shooting guard
  34. ↑ Avery Bradley 2014-15 Game Log
  35. ↑ Parsons, Mavs hold on to beat Celtics 118-113
  36. ↑ Mavs acquire four-time All-Star Rajon Rondo
  37. ↑ Bill and Jalen React To The Rondo Trade
  38. ↑ Celtics Acquire Thomas From Phoenix
  39. ↑ 2014-15 Boston Celtics Team Game Log
  40. ↑ Avery Bradley Game-by-Game Stats – 2014–15
  41. ↑ Smart, Bradley help Celtics edge Grizzlies, 95-92
  42. ↑ 2014-15 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats
  43. 1 2 Avery Bradley Stats
  44. ↑ Avery Bradley drives past Kawhi Leonard, throws down huge dunk
  45. ↑ Something in reserve: Avery Bradley thrives off bench, but for how long?
  46. ↑ Avery Bradley 2015-16 Game Log
  47. ↑ Bradley matches season-high 27, Celtics down Nuggets 111-103
  48. ↑ Bradley's 3-pointer at horn gives Celtics 104-103 win
  49. ↑ Avery Bradley Hits the Game Winner in Cleveland!
  50. ↑ Celtics' home streak reaches 11 with 100-95 win over Jazz
  51. ↑ "Hawks hold off another Celtics rally, take Game 1 102-101". NBA.com. April 16, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  52. ↑ "With big turnaround, Hawks beat Celtics 110-83 for 3-2 lead". NBA.com. April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  53. ↑ Leonard, Green headline All-Defensive First Team
  54. ↑ "Thomas scores 25, Celtics fight off Nets 122-117". ESPN.com. October 26, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  55. ↑ "Bradley hits 8 3s, Celtics beat Hornets 104-98". ESPN.com. October 29, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  56. ↑ Damian Lillard told Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley he's the NBA's best perimeter defender
  57. ↑ Avery Bradley the best perimeter defender in the...
  58. ↑ Celtics' Bradley fires agent, is reportedly unhappy with contract
  59. ↑ Avery Bradley, celebrating birth of child, not likely to receive contract extension from Boston Celtics; coach Brad Stevens still expects Bradley to play major role
  60. ↑ Bradley goes camping; Cowens camps also signing up campers
  61. ↑ Boston Celtics' Avery Bradley develops touching bond with family devastated by teenager's fatal car accident

External links

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