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 his bicycle one block from his home in St. George, Utah. He underwent neck fusion surgery and has spent the past eight weeks in hospital and undergoing rehabilitation.
“With his wife Carrie by his side around the clock, 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 6 inches tall, was the second overall choice in the 1993 design, selected by the Philadelphia 76ers after spending two years on a Mormon mission after his freshman year at BYU. He has averaged 8.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks during his 12-season NBA career, the past eight and a half years with the Dallas Mavericks.
“We are sad to hear of Shawn’s accident,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said in the statement. “Shawn has always been incredibly determined and has shown a fighting spirit. We wish him the best in his recovery. He will always be a part of our Mavs family.”