March Madness to the Summer League: Bradley’s Path to Proving Himself Early
The NCAA tournament is a perfect proving ground for NBA prospects. If any player can survive the pressure of March Madness, he should be able to do the same in the NBA. Bradley has proven what he is capable of on the big stage, and that should prepare him wherever he ends up. The Big 12 Player of the Year has performed well against top-notch competition and other prospects. He has guarded other future NBA players, and has seen an abundance of offensive systems that he had to figure out. That postseason experience is invaluable, because it’s basketball at the highest level.
One of the best guard prospects in the draft shouldn’t have to come out and prove his worth. Bradley should have a monster-sized chip on his shoulder, and make other franchises regret overlooking him. He should be looking forward to the Summer League, not to prove anything to himself, but to let others know why he belongs. There are some notable Summer League performances that have helped prospects earn spots on NBA rosters. In 2017, undrafted free agent Alex Caruso turned heads as he was rewarded with a two-way contract by the Lakers.
After an impressive outing in 2021, the Lakers struck gold again with Austin Reaves. He was also given a two-way contract, but has developed into an important piece of the team’s core. Bradley will get drafted at some point, and a dominant Summer League showing could send a message to the rest of the league.
