Former NBA star Shawn Bradley was left paralyzed after he was struck from behind by a car while he was riding his bike near his home in St. George, Utah. The accident, which occurred on January 20, left him with a traumatic spinal cord injury that required neck fusion surgery.
He spent eight weeks in the hospital recovering from the surgery and undergoing rehabilitation.
"[Bradley's] 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 Dallas Mavericks said in a statement posted on Twitter.
The Mavericks said that Bradley "is in good spirits" and wanted "to convey his deep appreciation for the outpouring of well wishes and prayers he has received from family, friends, and fans."
Bradley, who at 7'6" was one of the tallest players ever in the NBA, was drafted with the second overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft and spent 12 years in the NBA, with stints on the Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers. He also co-starred alongside Michael Jordan in the 1996 hit movie Space Jam.
Photo: Getty Images