BYU Athletics Devastated By Crash Involving Cougar Legend Shawn Bradley
Mar 17, 2021, 2:29 PM | Updated: 2:34 pm
PROVO, Utah – One of the greatest athletes in BYU Athletics’ history is former basketball center Shawn Bradley.
On Wednesday, Bradley’s former NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks, unveiled details about a January 20 incident that left the 7-foot-6 Bradley paralyzed near his St. George home. Hours after that release, BYU issued a statement on Bradley’s accident.
BYU Issues Statement On Crash Involving Shawn Bradley
We admire Shawn for his positive attitude through this and his desire to use his platform to promote bike safety. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/iHlUXMcDcw
— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) March 17, 2021
“BYU Athletics offers its heartfelt sympathies to Shawn Bradley and his family. We were devastated to learn of Shawn’s injury and join with all of Cougar Nation in thoughts and prayers for the Bradley family during this difficult time.
“We admire Shawn for his positive attitude through this and his desire to use his platform to promote bike safety.”
Bradley, a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has a strong sense of faith currently being tested due to currently participating in grueling physical therapy and learning how to cope with the challenges of paraplegia according to the Mavericks.
In his only season at BYU in 1990-91, he averaged 14.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and an impressive 5.2 blocks per game. After playing a year at BYU, Bradley served a Latter-day Saint mission in Australia, then declared for the 1993 NBA Draft, where he was the No. 2 overall pick.
A native of Castle Dale, Utah, Bradley was one of the top prospects to ever come out of a local high school. Bradley prepped at Emery High School and was a Parade All-American.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper and the KSL Sports app.