Thunderous Intentions
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NBA Draft prospect profile: Miles Bridges the sophomore sensation

By Alex Mcewen

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the second half against the Bucknell Bison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the second half against the Bucknell Bison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Miles Bridges poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Miles Bridges unlike the majority of his peers choose to return to school after his freshmen season. Did he help or hurt his draft stock, draft night will reveal the answer.

Most players projected to be an NBA lottery pick, leave after their freshmen season, not Miles Bridges. Bridges elected to play his sophomore season with the Michigan State Spartans.

As noted in an SI piece last year despite being urged by his mother Cynthia and coach Tom Izzo Bridges decided to stay in school. A bold choice among today’s NBA’s prospects a decision with such risks involved deserves respect. Many collegiate athletes do not want to further their development in college. Due to fear of falling in the draft or suffering an injury before reaching the pros.

Bridges put all those concerns aside because he wanted to return to school because that’s what he felt was best. As a bonus, he is still projected in the lottery on many mock drafts.

Player specifics

  • Height with Shoes: 6’6, Height without Shoes: 6’5
  • Weight: 220 pounds
  • Wingspan: 6’9″
  • Position: Small Forward -Power Forward
  • Age: 20.1
  • College: Michigan State University, sophomore
  • Home Town: Flint, Michigan

More from Thunder Draft

Statistical Breakdown

  • Points: 17.1 (17-18) | 17.0 (career)
  • Minutes:  31.4 (2017-18) | 31.6 (career)
  • Rebounds: 7.0 (17-18) | 7.6 (career)
  • Assists: 2.7 (17-18) | 2.4 (career)
  • Personal Fouls: 1.6 (17-18) | 1.7 (career)
  • Steals: 0.6 (17-18) | 0.6 (career)
  • Turnovers: 2.7 (17-18) |  2.4 (career)
  • Blocks: 0.8 (17-18) | 1.1 (career)

*all statistics based on per game averages

For the most part, Bridges stats from the past season mirror his career stats. The way this is viewed depends on whether you take a glass half full or glass half empty approach. While on one hand Bridges numbers do not reflect much if any improvement. On the other hand, Bridges statistics demonstrate how consistent he was on the hardwood. Moreover, Michigan has a program based on a specific team system, so his consistency speaks to how well he fit into Tom Izzo’s system.

With that, let’s get into Miles Bridges pros and cons.

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