Mikal Bridges: A Basketball Reference

Mikal Bridges is a professional basketball player who has played for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns He is a small forward who is known for his Three-point shooting and his defensive abilities.

Early Life

Mikal Bridges was born in Flourtown, Pennsylvania, to Tyria and Kendall Bridges. He has three sisters: India, Mya, and Sydni. India and Mya both played college basketball India played at Fairleigh Dickinson University while Mya played at the University Of Pennsylvania Sydni is a model. When he was younger, his parents served as foster parents. As a result, Bridges lived with several different families. In an interview with Complex, he said that he “grew up around a lot of kids”, which helped him become who he is today.

Bridges attended Germantown Academy, where he played basketball for Head Coach Jim McCarthy. As a senior in 2013–14, he helped lead the team to a 28–4 record and the program’s first appearance in the Inter-Academic League Championship game since 1989. He finished his High School career with 1,207 points (fifth all-time at the school), 572 rebounds (second all-time), and 169 blocks (second all-time). He was a four-year starter and two-time captain. He was named to the 2013 USA Today All-USA Boys Basketball Third Team.

High School Career

Mikal Bridges was a four-year starter at Great Valley high school in Malvern, Pennsylvania. He was a three-time All-Ches-Mont League selection and as a senior, he averaged 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game while leading his team to a 25-4 record and the Ches-Mont League Championship He was also named the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year and was a McDonald’s All-American nominee.

College Career

A product of Cannenbury high school in Philadelphia, PA, Mikal Bridges played four years of collegiate basketball at Villanova University In his four years, he was a part of some great Wildcat teams, including the NCAA championship team in 2016. Heading into his senior season, he was averaging 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for his career.

Bridges’ best season came as a junior in 2016-17. He averaged 17.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 51.4% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range He was named the Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player after leading Villanova to the conference tournament title. He also earned Second Team All-Big East honors.

As a senior, Bridges averaged 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 42.6% from three-point range. He was once again named the Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player as he led Villanova to the tournament title for the second straight year. He was also named First Team All-Big East and earned AP All-America Honorable Mention honors.”

Professional Career

Mikal Bridges was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft He was later traded to the Phoenix Suns Bridges played two years of college basketball for Villanova University. As a sophomore, he helped lead the Wildcats to an NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship

Bridges was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2019.

NBA Draft

Mikal Bridges was drafted 10th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia
76ers. He was then immediately traded to the Phoenix Suns

NBA Statistics

Mikal Bridges (born August 30, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played College Basketball for the Villanova Wildcats He is 2.01 meters in height and plays both shooting guard and small forward

In his rookie season in the NBA, he averaged 8.3 points, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

NBA Awards

Mikal Bridges was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on August 30, 1996. He is an American Professional Basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Bridges played College Basketball for the Villanova Wildcats As a redshirt sophomore, he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2018 Final Four after leading the Wildcats to a National Championship After forgoing his final two years of college eligibility, Bridges was selected with the 10th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2018 NBA Draft He was later traded to the Suns on draft night.

Bridges has received many awards throughout his career including:
-2018 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player
-2× First-team All-Big East (2017, 2018)
-2× Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2017, 2018)
-First-team All-American by Sporting News (2018)

Personal Life

Mikal Bridges was born in Flint, Michigan, on August 30, 1996, to Mikki and Gary Bridges. He has three sisters. His mother played basketball at Iowa State University from 1983 to 1987. Bridges was raised in Philadelphia and played high school basketball at Great Valley High School in Malvern, Pennsylvania, where he was a four-year starter. As a senior, he averaged 18.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game helping his team to a 27-3 record and the state semifinals. He was named first-team all-state by the Associated Press and was a finalist for Pennsylvania’s Mr. Basketball title.

Mikal Bridges’ Legacy

Mikal Bridges was born in the Philadelphia area and played his high school basketball at Great Valley high school He played two seasons of college basketball for Villanova University, and was a key player on the team that won the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship in 2016. He was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2018 NBA draft

Bridges is known for his defensive prowess, and has been hailed as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2020. He is also an excellent three-point shooter, and is one of the league’s best shooters from behind the arc.

During his time with the Suns, Bridges has established himself as a key player on a contending team. He has helped lead the Suns to the playoffs in consecutive seasons, and is one of the team’s most important players on both ends of the court.

Bridges is still early in his NBA Career but he has already made a significant impact on the game. He has emerged as one of the league’s best young players and has a bright future ahead of him.

References

Mikal Bridges is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Villanova Wildcats where he was a two-time National Champion During his collegiate career, Bridges was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year twice, and earned first-team All-Big East and second-team All-American honors. He was selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, and then traded to the Suns on draft night.

Bridges is a two-time NCAA national champion, winning titles in 2016 and 2018. He was named the Big East defensive player of the Year twice (2017 & 2018), and earned first-team All-Big East and second-team All-American honors in 2018.