By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor
Shawn Bradley, a former NBA center who spent almost nine years with the Dallas Mavericks suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury earlier this year that left him paralyzed, according to a statement released on his behalf by the Dallas Mavericks.
According to the statement released Wednesday morning by the Mavericks PR Department, Bradley was struck from behind on January 20th by an automobile while riding his bicycle a block from his home in St. George, Utah. He underwent neck fusion surgery and has spent the past eight weeks hospitalized and undergoing rehabilitation.
Bradley released the first public details today of the accident that he suffered in January. Bradley, the 7’6” former NBA player with the Mavericks, is a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spent two years performing missionary work in Australia after his freshman year at Brigham Young University.
Following his mission, Bradley was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers as the number two pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, but he spent the majority of his career with the Dallas Mavericks. His very strong sense of faith is being tested as he participates in grueling physical therapy and learns how to cope with the challenges of paraplegia. Doctors have advised him that his road to recovery will be both long and arduous, perhaps an even more difficult physical challenge than playing professional basketball, the statement read.
“With his wife Carrie at his side around the clock, and supported by an amazing team of rehabilitation specialists and family, Bradley is in good spirits. He plans to use his accident as a platform to bring greater public awareness to the importance of bicycle safety,” the statement continued.
“Bradley asked to convey his deep appreciation for the outpouring of well wishes and prayers he has received from family, friends and fans. Their support has energized his recovery and bolstered his confidence that he will manage the long process ahead successfully. He does not plan to issue further public updates, preferring to devote his full concentration on his rehabilitation.”
Mavs owner Mark Cuban released comments on Bradley:
“We are saddened to hear of Shawn’s accident. Shawn has always been incredibly determined and shown a fighting spirit. We wish him nothing but the best in his recovery. He will always be a part of our Mavs family.”
Donnie Nelson, Mavs General Manager, also released a statement:
“We are deeply saddened to hear of Shawn’s injury and our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. In his eight-plus seasons in Dallas, Shawn demonstrated all of the qualities you want in a person representing your organization. He has always exhibited unwavering grit and determination and we are thinking of him at this difficult time. He is a Maverick for life.”
