Biography

Mikal Bridges: Stats and Profile

Biography

Mikal Bridges (born August 30, 1996) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the New York Knicks.

Mikal Bridges, pronounced as "mih-KEL", is a highly skilled and versatile basketball player. Standing at 6'6" and weighing 210 pounds, Bridges is known for his athleticism, defensive prowess, and shooting ability. He was drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and traded to the Brooklyn Nets on draft night.

Bridges attended Villanova University, where he played college basketball for the Wildcats. In his senior season, he was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year and helped lead Villanova to their second national championship in three years.

Career

In his NBA career, Bridges has established himself as a reliable wing player who can contribute in various ways. He is a solid defender, known for his quick lateral movement and ability to guard multiple positions. Bridges is also a consistent three-point shooter, with a career 39.5% shooting rate from beyond the arc.

In the 2023-24 season, Bridges played a crucial role for the Brooklyn Nets, helping them reach the Eastern Conference semifinals. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, while shooting 46.7% from the field and 40.8% from three-point range.

Trade to New York Knicks

On June 26, 2024, Bridges was traded to the New York Knicks in a blockbuster deal that sent Donovan Mitchell to Brooklyn. The move reunited Bridges with his former Villanova teammate Jalen Brunson, who had signed with the Knicks as a free agent in the previous offseason.

With Bridges and Brunson now anchoring the Knicks' backcourt, the team is poised to make a deep playoff run in the upcoming season. Bridges' defensive versatility and three-point shooting will undoubtedly be valuable assets for New York.