Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges: biography

Miles Bridges is a professional basketball player who plays for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Bridges played college basketball at Michigan State University for two seasons before declaring for the 2018 NBA draft.

Childhood and youth

Miles Bridges was born on March 21, 1998, in Flint, Michigan, a city known for its rich basketball history. Bridges grew up playing basketball from a young age and was heavily influenced by his father, who played college basketball at Southern University. His father also coached Miles in youth basketball and helped him develop his skills on the court.

Growing up in Flint was not always easy for Bridges, as the city has faced significant economic and social challenges over the years. However, Bridges was able to use basketball as a way to escape some of these difficulties and focus on his passion for the game.

In high school, Bridges attended Flint Southwestern Academy, where he quickly established himself as one of the top basketball players in the state of Michigan. He was a two-time Michigan Mr. Basketball award winner and led his team to a state championship in his senior year.

After high school, Bridges decided to stay close to home and play college basketball at Michigan State University. He was a standout player for the Spartans, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in his first season and being named First-Team All-Big Ten in his sophomore year.

Basketball career

Miles Bridges began his professional basketball career in 2018, when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 12th overall pick in the NBA draft. However, Bridges was then traded on draft night to the Charlotte Hornets, where he has played ever since.

In his rookie season, Bridges played in 80 games for the Charlotte Hornets, starting in 25 of them. He averaged 7.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, showing flashes of his athleticism and potential as a player. However, he also faced some challenges, including a shooting slump and struggles with consistency.

Bridges' second season in the NBA was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the season to be suspended for several months. However, Bridges was able to make progress in his development during the season, averaging 13.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He also showcased his dunking ability in the 2020 NBA Dunk Contest, where he finished second to Derrick Jones Jr.

The 2020-2021 NBA season was a breakout year for Bridges, as he established himself as a key player for the Hornets. He averaged 12.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game and showed improvement in his shooting and defense. He also continued to showcase his dunking ability, earning the nickname "Air Miles" for his high-flying dunks.

However, it was the 2021-2022 NBA season where Bridges truly exploded onto the scene, earning his first All-Star selection and becoming one of the most exciting players in the league. He averaged 20.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, showcasing his all-around skills and ability to score from anywhere on the court. He also continued to impress with his dunking ability, with several highlight-reel dunks throughout the season.

Overall, Bridges' professional basketball career has been marked by steady improvement and a commitment to developing his skills as a player. He has established himself as one of the most promising young players in the league and is considered a key part of the Charlotte Hornets' future.

It’s known that Bridges was suspended from the NBA for 30 games in April, 2023. This happened because of the domestic violence incident with his wife and their two children.

Personal life

Bridges is a family-oriented person, he is married to Mychelle Johnson. They have two children together.

In his free time, Bridges enjoys listening to music and playing video games. He is also an avid sneaker collector and often wears unique and eye-catching shoes on the court.

Overall, Bridges is known for being a grounded and humble person who remains focused on his goals both on and off the basketball court.

Achievements and accomplishments

• Two-time Michigan Mr. Basketball award winner (2016, 2017)
• State champion in high school basketball (2016)
• Big Ten Freshman of the Year (2017)
• First-Team All-Big Ten (2018)
• NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2019)
• NBA Slam Dunk Contest participant and runner-up (2020)
• NBA Rising Stars Challenge participant (2020)
• First-time NBA All-Star (2022)