Former NBA player Shawn Bradley was paralyzed after being hit by a car while riding his bike on Jan. 20.
Bradley, a 7-foot, 6-foot center who played for the Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, revealed his injuries by a statement issued by the Mavericks.
The 48-year-old, one of the tallest players in NBA history, says he was hit from behind while cycling near his St. Louis home. George, Utah. The accident caused a traumatic spinal cord injury, which resulted in a neck fusion surgery that has seen him hospitalized for the past eight weeks and in the rehabilitation phase.
“We are saddened to learn of Shawn’s accident,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. “Shawn has always been incredibly determined and has shown a fighting spirit. We wish you nothing more than the best in your recovery. He will always be part of our Mavs family. “
The No. 2 pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, Bradley has “good humor,” with his wife, Carrie, by his side “all day.”
While he has no plans to provide further updates on his health trip, Bradley expressed his desire to use the incident to “raise public awareness of the importance of bicycle safety.”
The 12-year NBA veteran led the NBA in blocks during the 1996-97 season with the Nets and played a co-starring role in the 1996 film “Space Jam.”