Miles Bridges and Mikal Bridges are two of the most exciting young players in the NBA. They both share the same last name, but are they related? The answer is no. Despite their similarities, Miles and Mikal are not brothers or cousins. They were born in different states, played for different colleges, and were drafted by different teams. Here is everything you need to know about Miles Bridges and Mikal Bridges, and how they are not related.
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Miles Bridges: The High-Flying Hornet
Miles Bridges was born on March 21, 1998, in Flint, Michigan. He attended Flint Southwestern Academy for his freshman year of high school, before transferring to Huntington Prep School in West Virginia. He was a five-star recruit and one of the top prospects in the nation. He committed to play for Michigan State University, where he spent two seasons under coach Tom Izzo.
Miles Bridges was a dominant force for the Spartans, averaging 17 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in his college career. He was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a consensus second-team All-American in his first season. He decided to return for his sophomore year, despite being projected as a lottery pick in the 2017 NBA draft. He improved his numbers and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in his second season.
Miles Bridges declared for the 2018 NBA draft after his sophomore year. He was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 12th overall pick, but was traded to the Charlotte Hornets on draft night. He has been a key contributor for the Hornets ever since, playing both forward positions and showcasing his athleticism and versatility. He is known for his spectacular dunks and highlight plays, earning him the nickname “Air Miles”.
Miles Bridges is having a breakout season in 2022-23, averaging career-highs in points (20.1), rebounds (6.9), assists (3.1), steals (1.3), blocks (0.9), and three-point percentage (38.4%). He is also shooting a career-best 49% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line. He has emerged as one of the best young players in the league and a potential All-Star candidate.
Mikal Bridges: The Two-Way Wing
Mikal Bridges was born on August 30, 1996, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Great Valley High School in Malvern, Pennsylvania, where he led his team to a state championship in his senior year. He was a four-star recruit and ranked as the 82nd best player in his class by ESPN. He committed to play for Villanova University, where he played under coach Jay Wright.
Mikal Bridges redshirted his freshman year at Villanova, before becoming a key player for the Wildcats in his next three seasons. He was part of two national championship teams in 2016 and 2018, earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors in the latter. He also won the Julius Erving Award as the best small forward in college basketball in his junior year. He averaged 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in his final season at Villanova.
Mikal Bridges declared for the 2018 NBA draft after his junior year. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 10th overall pick, which was a dream come true for him and his mother Tyneeha Rivers, who works as a vice president of human resources for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Sixers. However, his joy was short-lived, as he was traded to the Phoenix Suns on draft night.
Mikal Bridges has been a valuable player for the Suns ever since, playing as a starting small forward and a defensive specialist. He is known for his length, athleticism, and versatility on both ends of the floor. He can guard multiple positions, shoot from beyond the arc, and finish at the rim. He was instrumental in helping the Suns reach their first NBA Finals since 1993 last season.
Mikal Bridges is having a career-year in 2022-23, averaging career-highs in points (16), rebounds (5), assists (2), steals (1), blocks (0.8), and field goal percentage (50%). He is also shooting an impressive 42% from three-point range and 86% from the free-throw line. He has established himself as one of the best two-way wings in the league and a core piece of the Suns’ future.
Conclusion: Miles Bridges and Mikal Bridges Are Not Related
Miles Bridges and Mikal Bridges are two rising stars in the NBA, but they are not related. They have different backgrounds, different paths, and different teams. They do share some similarities, such as their last name, their position, and their draft class. They also have a friendly rivalry on the court, as they have faced each other several times in their careers. However, they are not brothers or cousins, just two talented players with the same surname.
