Former Dallas Mavericks player Shawn Bradley was paralyzed after a bike accident in January, his former team announced Wednesday. The 48-year-old car was hit from behind by a car while riding his bicycle near his home in St. Louis. George, Utah, the Mavericks reported.
The accident resulted in a traumatic spinal cord injury and Bradley underwent neck fusion surgery. He has spent eight weeks in hospital and has been rehabilitated.
The former center, who is 7 feet 6 inches tall, played 14 seasons in the NBA. He had not previously released any details about the accident. According to the Mavericks statement, it has no plans to post any more public updates.
“We are saddened to learn 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 nothing more than the best in his recovery. He will always be part of our Mavs family.”
“We are deeply saddened to learn of Shawn’s injury and our thoughts and prayers are addressed to him and his family,” Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson said in a statement. “In his eight more seasons in Dallas, Shawn demonstrated all the qualities he wanted in a person who represented your organization. He has always shown unwavering determination and determination and we are thinking of him in this difficult time. He is a nonconformist for in life. . “
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Doctors have told Bradley that the road to recovery will be “long and arduous, perhaps an even more difficult physical challenge than playing professional basketball,” according to a statement. “His strong sense of faith is being tested as he engages in grueling physical therapy and learns to deal with the challenges of paraplegia,” the statement said.
Bradley, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, worked as a missionary in Australia for two years. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers as the number two in the 1993 NBA Draft. He also had a role in the 1996 film “Space Jam” opposite Michael Jordan.
Bradley retired in 2005 and became a counselor at a private school for at-risk youth in West Jordan, Utah, according to CBS Sports.
“With his wife Carrie by his side 24 hours a day and backed by an amazing team of rehabilitation and family specialists, Bradley is in a good mood,” the Mavericks statement said. “He plans to use his accident as a platform to raise public awareness about the importance of bicycle safety.”