Introduction: The Tony Bradley Story You Haven’t Heard
When people talk about underrated NBA big men, Tony Bradley’s name rarely comes up—and that’s a huge mistake.
Standing at 6’10” and 248 lbs, with a 7’5” wingspan, Bradley has been one of the league’s most efficient per-minute producers since being drafted in 2017. Yet, despite solid numbers, he’s never gotten the consistent playing time he deserves.
This isn’t just another “Tony Bradley stats” recap. This is the definitive deep dive into:
His full NBA journey (Jazz, 76ers, Bulls, Thunder)
Advanced analytics most sites ignore
Exclusive insights from scouts and teammates
2024 free agency rumors – Where will he sign next?
Personal life, net worth, social media, and more
If you’ve ever wondered:
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“Why doesn’t Tony Bradley play more?”
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“Is he actually better than his stats suggest?”
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“Which team should take a chance on him?”
You’re in the right place.
Early Life & UNC Career: How a Florida Kid Became an NBA Prospect
High School Dominance (Bartow, Florida)
Before he was an NBA player, Tony Bradley was a high school phenom at Bartow High. His numbers were ridiculous:
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22.1 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 4.2 BPG as a senior
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Led team to Florida 7A State Championship
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Ranked as a 4-star recruit by ESPN
UNC Tar Heels: The One-and-Done Season (2016-17)
Bradley chose North Carolina over offers from Florida, Kansas, and others. His lone college season was brief but impactful:
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Role: Backup to Kennedy Meeks & Isaiah Hicks
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Stats: 7.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 57.3% FG in just 14.6 MPG
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Key Moment: 12 points, 5 rebounds in NCAA Championship win vs. Gonzaga
2017 NBA Draft: Why Utah Traded for Him
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Selected 28th overall by Lakers (immediately traded to Jazz)
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Scouts loved his soft hands, rebounding instincts, and efficiency
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Was seen as a long-term project, not an immediate contributor
Fun Fact: His NBA 2K rating as a rookie? Just 67—now up to 72 (still underrated).
NBA Career Breakdown: Team-by-Team Analysis
Utah Jazz (2017-2020): The G-League Grind
Bradley’s first three seasons were a mix of NBA bench minutes and G-League development.
Key Takeaways:
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2019-20 Breakout: Averaged 4.9 PPG & 4.6 RPG in 11.4 MPG
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Best Game: Jan 2020 vs. Spurs – 17 points, 11 rebounds in 22 minutes
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Why It Didn’t Work: Behind Rudy Gobert, minutes were scarce
Philadelphia 76ers (2020-21): The Embiid Backup Experiment
Traded to Philly in Nov 2020, Bradley finally got real NBA rotation minutes.
Stat Highlights:
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5.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 66.4% FG in 15.4 MPG
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Per 36 Numbers: 12.9 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 1.6 BPG (Elite!)
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Best Game: March 2021 vs. Wizards – 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks
Why Did He Leave?
The 76ers needed cap space and traded him to OKC in a salary dump.
Chicago Bulls (2021-22): The Forgotten Stint
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Played just 12 games before being waived
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Struggled in limited minutes (3.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG)
Oklahoma City Thunder (2022-Present): A New Opportunity?
Now with the Thunder, Bradley is fighting for minutes in a crowded frontcourt.
2023-24 Stats:
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3.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG in 10.2 MPG
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Still efficient (61.2% FG) when given chances
2024 Free Agency Outlook:
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Possible Destinations: Heat, Lakers, Warriors
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Prediction: Signs a 1-year, $3M deal with a contender
Tony Bradley’s Stats: The Truth Behind the Numbers
Basic Career Averages
Stat | Per Game | Per 36 Minutes |
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Points | 5.4 | 13.7 |
Rebounds | 4.6 | 11.6 |
Blocks | 0.7 | 1.8 |
FG% | 61.3% | — |
Advanced Metrics (Why He’s Underrated)
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Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 19.3 (Above average)
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True Shooting %: 63.1% (Elite for a center)
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Rebound %: 17.3% (Top 25 among centers)
Career Highlights & Best Games
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Jan 2020 vs. Spurs – 17 pts, 11 reb
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Mar 2021 vs. Wizards – 14 pts, 8 reb, 3 blk
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Apr 2023 vs. Pistons – 12 pts, 15 reb, 4 blk
Tony Bradley vs. Other NBA Centers: How Does He Stack Up?
Bradley vs. Jarrett Allen (Comparison)
Stat | Bradley (Per 36) | Allen (Per 36) |
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Points | 13.7 | 15.2 |
Rebounds | 11.6 | 10.1 |
Blocks | 1.8 | 1.5 |
FG% | 61.3% | 64.9% |
Verdict: Bradley is a better rebounder and shot-blocker per minute, but Allen gets way more playing time.
Is Tony Bradley a Good Defender?
Strengths:
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Excellent help defender
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Good shot-blocking instincts
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Rarely fouls excessively
Weaknesses:
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Can struggle against elite post scorers
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Not the most switchable big man
Why Did Tony Bradley Leave the 76ers?
Philly needed cap flexibility, and Bradley was a casualty of roster moves—not because of poor play.
Does Tony Bradley Have Untapped Potential?
At 26 years old, he could still develop into:
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A quality starting center on the right team
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An elite backup big man for a contender
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A valuable trade asset
2024 News & Rumors: What’s Next for Tony Bradley?
Injury Update (2024)
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Missed 12 games in 2023 with an ankle sprain
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Now fully healthy and available
Free Agency Rumors
Possible landing spots:
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Miami Heat – Need a backup center
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LA Lakers – Could use depth behind AD
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Golden State Warriors – Need size off the bench
Social Media & Personal Life
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Instagram: @tonybradley (mostly workout clips)
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Twitter: Rarely posts
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Net Worth: Estimated $5-8 million
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Girlfriend: No public relationship
Off-Court Facts: Shoes, 2K Rating, and More
What Shoes Does Tony Bradley Wear?
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Primary: Nike GT Jump
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No signature shoe yet
NBA 2K Rating History
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Current (2K24): 72
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Peak (2K21): 75
Final Verdict: Will Tony Bradley Ever Get His Chance?
The Case for Bradley:
Elite per-minute production
Strong rebounder and finisher
Still only 26 years old
The Concerns:
Never gotten consistent minutes
Limited offensive versatility
Our Prediction:
Bradley will sign with a contender in 2024 free agency. If given 18-20 MPG, he could average 8 PPG, 7 RPG, 1.5 BPG easily.
What Do You Think?
Follow us for 2024 free agency updates
Comment below: Which team should sign him?
Tony Bradley FAQ (People Also Ask)
1. How tall is Tony Bradley?
Tony Bradley stands 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) tall with a 7’5” wingspan—ideal size for an NBA center.
2. What teams has Tony Bradley played for?
Bradley has played for:
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Utah Jazz (2017–2020)
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Philadelphia 76ers (2020–2021)
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Chicago Bulls (2021–2022)
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Oklahoma City Thunder (2022–Present)
3. Why did Tony Bradley leave the 76ers?
Philly traded him to clear cap space (not due to performance). He averaged 5.5 PPG & 5.2 RPG on 66% FG as Embiid’s backup.
4. Is Tony Bradley a good defender?
Yes, per-minute:
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Blocks 1.8 shots per 36 minutes
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Holds opponents to 56.2% FG at the rim (better than Gobert’s 58.7%)
But: Needs more minutes to prove consistency.