Former NBA center Shawn Bradley suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed, according to a statement issued on his behalf by the Dallas Mavericks.
On January 20, Bradley was hit from behind by a car while riding a bicycle on a street from his home in St. Louis. George, Utah. He underwent neck fusion surgery and spent the last eight weeks hospitalized and undergoing rehabilitation.
“With his wife Carrie by his side non-stop and supported by an incredible team of rehabilitation and family specialists, Bradley is in a good mood,” the statement said in part. “He plans to use his accident as a platform to raise public awareness of the importance of bicycle safety.”
Bradley, 48, 7 feet and 6 inches tall, was the second overall pick in the 1993 draft, selected by the Philadelphia 76ers after spending two years on a Mormon mission after his freshman year at BYU. He averaged 8.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks during his 12-season NBA career, spending the last eight and a half years with the Dallas Mavericks.
“We are saddened to hear of Shawn’s accident,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said in a statement. “Shawn has always been incredibly determined and has shown a fighting spirit. We wish him all the best in his recovery. He will always be part of our Mavs family.”