Education
Bradds enrolled at University of Kentucky but transferred after two days.
He played collegiately for the. Was National Player of the Year and winner of the Adolph Rupp Trophy in 1964. Teammates included Jerry Lucas, John Havlicek, Bobby Knight, Mel Nowell, and Don DeVoe.
Averaged 28.0 points and 13.0 rebounds as a junior, after replacing Jerry Lucas.
Averaged 30.6 points and 13.4 rebounds as a senior. Had six consecutive 40 point games his senior year, including a school record 49 against Illinois (2/10/64).
During the streak, Bradds averaged 44.3 points and scored 46% of Ohio State"s points. Streak ended against Iowa with Bradds scoring 30 points.
Member of 2 Big Ten Championship teams, 1963-1964.
Was member of the 1963 Pan American Games, winning a gold medal. Pan Am team included Willis Reed and Lucious Jackson. Was captain of the team in 1964.
His #35 has been retired at Ohio State (1/27/2001).
Is a member of their Hall of Fame (inducted in 1978). Also, member of the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.
Scored 15 points in the National Title game in 1962, leading team Jerry Lucas once claimed that Bradds was the best player he played against all season "in practice".
His 735 points in 1964 are second highest season total in school"s history.
Was Ohio States Most Valuable Player in 1963 and 1964. Was Big Ten Most Valuable Player in 1963 and 1964. Was All American in 1963 and 1964.
Team"s record while at Ohio State was 62-14.
Averaged 20.7 points and 9.5 rebounds while shooting.535% from the field in 74 games at Ohio State. His 1,530 points and 706 rebounds still rank in the school"s top ten of all time.
Career
The school"s gym is named in his honor. He was selected by the Baltimore Bullets in the 1st round (3rd pick overall) of the 1964 National Basketball Association Draft. Bradds played in the North American Basketball League for Benton Harbor in 1965-1966 and was Second Team NABL. He played for Columbus in 1966-1967 and was named First Team NABL. He played for the Bullets (1964-1966) in the National Basketball Association for 44 games and for the Oakland Oaks (1967-1969), Washington Capitols (1969-1970), Carolina Cougars and Texas Chaparrals (1970-1971) in the American Bar Association for 210 games.
Averaged 12.2 points and 5.5 rebounds as a professional in 254 games, scoring 3,106 points.
Averaged 17.0 points and 7.9 rebounds in the playoffs. Ranks #67 in American Bar Association history in free throws and #76 in free throw attempts.
Finished in top ten in free throw % in 1968-1969. Career American Bar Association shooting percentage of.478 ranks 36 in American Bar Association history and his free throw % of.803 ranks #32.
Ranks #67 in American Bar Association history in free throws made with 841.
Averaged 20.5 points and 10.1 rebounds in the 1969 American Bar Association Playoffs with a high of 43 points against Minnesota. Following his pro career, was an assistant coach and Teacher and School Principal of Greeneview South Elementary. A much admired and respected local and national hero/role model to many, Bradds died on July 15, 1983 at the age of 40 of cancer.
Also father of two daughters, Melinda and Lori.
Cousin of American Jazz Guitarist Terry Bradds. Brother Gayle Bradds played basketball for Cedarville.
Membership
Member of 2 Big Ten Championship teams, 1963-1964. Was member of the 1963 Pan American Games, winning a gold medal. Is a member of their Hall of Fame (inducted in 1978).
Also, member of the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.
Was member of the 1969 American Bar Association Championship Oakland Oaks that included Rick Barry, Warren Armstrong, Doug Moe, Larry Brown, and Ira Harge.