INDIANAPOLIS — The Final Four is this weekend, and there’s one strong tie to the Rochester area: Arizona starting point guard Jaden Bradley.
We spoke with Bradley and his supporting cast ahead of the big dance.
“You know we’re going on a business trip,” Bradley said.
Two wins away from a national title. A battle that the Big 12 Player of the Year, Conference Tournament MVP and all-around winner is ready for.
“He was a state champion in North Carolina. He goes to a great prep school at IMG, he’s a McDonald’s All-American,” Tommy Lloyd, Arizona’s head men’s basketball head coach, said.
Yeah, Jaden Bradley moved away when he was in elementary school, but it’s still the Flower City he calls home. “I just feel like I’m a small puzzle piece coming out of Rochester,” Bradley said.
Growing up, he played basketball with his brothers.
“So just watching him and growing up with him, it was amazing,” Levone Baker, Jaden’s older brother, said.
Levone and Jaden are still close to this day. In fact, Levone, who’s 13 years older than Jaden and was in the military when he moved to North Carolina, will be at this weekend’s Final Four.
“Nonstop traveling, but the experience of supporting him has been great,” Levone said.
Although Baker concedes that Bradley probably has him beat at hoops today, he used to play him all the time. “You know, sometimes I might let him win, might not. But I still had to show them that you can’t beat a big brother yet,” Levone joked. “Now I can’t beat him, I’m not even going to try.”
But that doesn’t mean Levone can’t beat him in other ways. “We play 2K, I’m up, by the way,” Levone laughed.
Jaden was also a member of the Boys and Girls Club.
Dwayne Mahoney, the executive director of Rochester’s Boys and Girls Club, said “Quiet, keeps to himself,” when asked what Jaden was like as a kid.
He was a member of the reading club and Biddy basketball league. “It’s just like a family friendly environment, a family culture. You know, I still talk to people that were there, were all my team that I played against,” Bradley said.
Then as a high school graduate, he was the recipient of a Boys and Girls Club scholarship — before giving it back to students who needed it more.
“He’s a leader,” Mahoney said. “He did it unprovoked, unsolicited, to that’s just the type of kid he is.”
Mahoney, alongside Levone, has a front-row seat to Jaden’s ascent. “When people see what he’s doing, especially our kids, then they realize it’s hard. I got to work, and this is what I can achieve as well,” Mahoney said.
So as Bradley readies for the biggest weekend of his basketball career.
“It’s going to be a tough battle,” Bradley said.
“Bring it home, Arizona,” Levone said.
“Go Wildcats, that’s all,” Mahoney said.
Levone and Dwayne are just proud of the man that Jaden has become.
“Put Rochester on the map,” Baker said. “But also put himself on the map because all the hard work that that he they did, I feel like he’s deserving right now.”
Bradley knows this weekend and this stage is more than just about basketball.
“I just want younger people to see, anything’s possible coming out of Rochester. I hope when they get the platform and they get the opportunity, they kind of do the same stuff and always give back and represent,” Bradley said.
Arizona will play Michigan in Indianapolis on Saturday with the winner advancing to Monday’s Championship game.
From Flower City to Indy | Jaden Bradley making Rochester proud en route to Final Four WHEC.com.
Hence then, the article about from flower city to indy jaden bradley making rochester proud en route to final four was published today ( ) and is available on News10NBC ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( From Flower City to Indy .. Jaden Bradley making Rochester proud en route to Final Four )
Also on site :
- Trump says Pam Bondi, a loyalist who oversaw Justice Department upheaval, is out as attorney general
- Misua, Who Was Set to Appear on ‘Drag Race: Philippines’ Season 4, Dies at 27
- Next Level Chef’ Season 5: Who Went Home Tonight? (Night Six Elimination)