Raptors take point guard Bradley in 2nd round of NBA draft

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Having taken a young big man 19th overall in the first round of the NBA draft, the Raptors opted for a more grizzled point guard at 50 in the second round Wednesday.

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Jaden Bradley was the choice out of Arizona, where he spent three seasons after transferring from Alabama. Bradley, a senior, was Big 12 Tournament most outstanding player, a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award as the NCAA’s best point guard, and fits a similar mold to Toronto’s last two second round picks, current backup point guard Jamal Shead and Raptors 905 star Alijah Martin. All three guards were big-time winners, competitors and leaders in the NCAA, though Bradley was originally a much more highly regarded recruit coming out of high school.

Bradley was the 2020 North Carolina player of the year and ranked 20th by ESPN in his entire high school class when Alabama won a recruiting war for him. He got better year by year upon arriving in Arizona.

The Rochester, N.Y., native will now be playing much closer to home.

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Seen as a physical guard who loves to attack the rim, generates steals and has a developing three-point shot, he said on a media call Wednesday that he worked out for the Raptors and enjoyed tracking their playoff run this season. Bradley said he is eager to pick Shead’s brain, in particular.

“Blessed to be in this organization. They’ve got a great roster. Can’t wait to hit the ground running and add what I can add,” Bradley said. “Defensive presence, a point guard, just setting my teammates up. Score if I need to score. Definitely shooting is going to be a big key.”

Bradley and first-round pick Allen Graves will be introduced in person in Toronto on Thursday.

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