Gary Bradds

Gary Bradds was an American professional basketball player who had a stellar college career at Ohio State and won an American Basketball Association championship with the Oakland Oaks.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Gary Lee Bradds was born on July 26, 1942, in Jamestown, Ohio, USA. He stood 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 210 pounds during his playing career.

Bradds played as a power forward and small forward, wearing jersey numbers 33, 30, 31, and 40 during his professional career. He was the cousin of American Jazz Guitarist Terry Bradds, and his brother Gayle Bradds played basketball for Cedarville College.

After his playing career, Bradds became a teacher, coach, and school administrator, serving as the principal of Greeneview South Elementary.

He died of cancer on July 15, 1983, at the age of 40, leaving behind his wife and three children: son David Bradds, who played basketball at the University of Dayton, and daughters Melinda and Lori.

His grandson Evan later became a college basketball player for Belmont University and was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017.

High School and College Career

Bradds attended Greeneview High School in Jamestown, Ohio, where he was a standout player. He set several school records, including scoring 61 points in a single game against Mt. Sterling on December 8, 1959. He was named All-League three years and All-State two years.

The school's gymnasium is now named in his honor.

At Ohio State University, Bradds had an exceptional career from 1961 to 1964. He was named a Consensus second-team All-American in 1963 and a Consensus first-team All-American in 1964.

In his senior year, he was named both AP and UPI College Player of the Year, averaging 30.6 points per game and putting together an incredible string of six straight games in which he scored 40 or more points.

He was also a two-time First-team All-Big Ten selection (1963, 1964).

Professional Career

Bradds was selected by the Baltimore Bullets with the 3rd overall pick in the 1964 NBA Draft. He played sparingly during his two seasons with the Bullets before moving to the American Basketball Association (ABA).

In the ABA, Bradds found more success, particularly with the Oakland Oaks during the 1968-69 season.

When star player Rick Barry was injured midway through the season, Bradds stepped into a starting role and helped lead the team to the ABA championship.

Bradds later played for the Washington Caps, Carolina Cougars, and Texas Chaparrals before retiring in 1971.

Career Highlights:

• 1963 - Consensus second-team All-American
• 1964 - AP Player of the Year
• 1964 - UPI College Player of the Year
• 1964 - Consensus first-team All-American
• 1963, 1964 - First-team All-Big Ten
• 1969 - ABA champion (Oakland Oaks)
• 1963 - Gold medal, Pan American Games
• 1978 - Inducted into Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame
• 2006 - Inducted into Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame

Medal Record, Men's Basketball Representing United States

• Gold - 1963 Pan American Games São Paulo