Head Coach Scott Padgett on Bradley“Mike is going to be the switch that starts our fast-break. He’s the best rebounder on the team and when he rebounds and gets it out to the guard, that’s going to ignite us and get us off to that fast start on the break. He’s a huge part of what we’re going to do in transition. He’s also going to be a huge part defensively in clogging the lane and keeping the ball out of the paint. Those are the big keys for Mike this season. It will also be big for him to stay out of foul trouble. I want him to try to be the best rebounder in the league.”
Originally signed with UConn out of high school . . . spent two years at UConn, but never played in a game . . . will definitely add size to the Bulldogs’ front line this season.
Junior (2013-14): Registered the best outing of his Samford career on March 1 against Western Carolina as he scored a personal-best 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the Bulldogs’ 93-86 win . . . he also finished 5-of-8 from the field and 5-of-6 from the line versus the Catamounts . . . played a key role in the Bulldogs’ 70-56 victory against Appalachian State in the opening round of the Southern Conference Tournament on March 7 as he scored 14 points and pulled down five rebounds . . . turned in a great game against Appalachian State on Feb. 27, as he tallied nine points and 11 rebounds . . . pulled down 10 rebounds against Austin Peay on Dec. 7 and finished a perfect 2-for-2 from the field for a total of five points in only 13 minutes of playing time . . . nearly tallied his first career double-double on Dec. 1 with eight points and nine rebounds against Kentucky State . . . turned in a strong performance on Nov. 23 at Western Kentucky as he finished with seven points and four rebounds in only 11 minutes of playing time . . . made the first start of his Samford career on Nov. 29 against Campbellsville and tallied seven rebounds and two blocks . . . registered four points and four rebounds against Davidson in the second round of the SoCon Tournament on March 8 . . . earned his first varsity letter.
2012-13: As a sophomore at Vincennes University in Indiana, he recovered from an injury late in the season and earned playing time in nine games . . . finished with 2.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest as the Trailblazers tallied a stellar 33-4 overall record and advanced to the Final Four of the NJCAA Tournament.
2011-12: As a redshirt freshman at UConn, he was forced to miss the entire season with an injury . . . famously gave up his scholarship to make room for highly-touted 2011 recruit Andre Drummond . . . attempted to transfer to Western Kentucky, but the NCAA denied his appeal to play immediately.
2010-11: Redshirted at UConn.
High School: Led Tyner High School in Chattanooga, Tenn., to a district championship, a sub-state championship and regional title in 2010 . . . averaged 5.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and three blocks per game as a senior and was a 2010 McDonald's All-America Nominee.
Personal: Born June 28, 1992 . . . parents are Jacqueline Phinazee and Bob Smith . . . majoring in pre-business.
ONE-ON-ONE WITH BRADLEYThe strangest nickname I ever had was: Shorty
I can’t imagine going a week without: basketball
I have to admit, I am really good at: the Dougie
Person you would most like to meet: Angelina Jolie
Favorite TV show:
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
