NBA Comparison: Theo Maledon / Cory Joseph

Strengths: Bradley is a strong, well-built lead guard with good size (6’4 in shoes with a 6’6 wingspan) and solid speed for the position, offering a dependable two-way presence … Has shown steady development throughout his college career, evolving from a defense-first, pass-oriented guard into a more complete offensive contributor … Plays a physical brand of basketball, showing a willingness to drive the ball and seek out contact, using his strength to finish through defenders and get to the line … Shows the ability to finish in highlight fashion at times, using either hand around the rim and capable of getting up for occasional highlight dunks when he has space … Shooting has taken a noticeable step forward, highlighted by excellent 2025–26 splits, and his shooting stroke shows solid form with a compact, repeatable release … Very effective in transition, where he uses his strength and straight-line speed to push tempo and create opportunities … Operates very well in pick-and-roll situations, showing strong facilitation ability, comfort reading defenses, and consistently making the right play as a ball handler … Displays a controlled, composed approach overall, capable of running an offense and keeping teammates involved … Solid assist numbers paired with a manageable turnover rate reflect improved decision-making and poise … Plays with good pace, doesn’t get sped up, and understands how to manage tempo and flow … Strong frame allows him to absorb contact offensively and hold his ground defensively … Solid on the defensive end, showing the ability to stay in front, compete through screens, and generate turnovers with anticipation … Brings experience and toughness, having contributed to winning basketball at a high level on one of the nation’s top teams … Team-oriented guard who understands his role, moves the ball, and keeps the offense organized … High-level high school pedigree combined with four years of college experience adds to his polish and readiness …

Weaknesses: Older prospect as a senior, which limits perceived upside compared to younger guards … Not an elite athlete by NBA standards, with decent but unspectacular burst and vertical pop … While capable of occasional highlight finishes, he does not consistently rely on explosiveness to create advantages … While his shooting percentages are strong, his three-point production comes on relatively low volume, raising questions about how scalable his shooting is at the next level … Not very effective in one-on-one isolation situations, lacking the burst and creativity to consistently break down defenders off the dribble … Can struggle to create separation, relying more on strength and craft than dynamic athleticism … Early in his career, decision-making was a notable hurdle, with stretches of forcing plays and inconsistent reads … Has improved in that area over time, but evaluators may question how much of his efficiency is tied to experience and age advantage against younger competition … Had a relatively average performance and impact on the big stage in the Final Four matchup vs. Michigan (13 points, 4-6 FG, 1 assist, 3 turnovers), in a game where Arizona was widely viewed as having the backcourt edge … More of a steady, complementary guard than a high-usage offensive engine … Finishing in traffic can still be inconsistent against length and rim protection … Doesn’t project as a primary scorer or lead initiator at the NBA level, placing added importance on his shooting and defensive consistency … Limited margin for error given average physical tools …

Outlook: Bradley projects as a mid second round pick with a pathway to earning a role as a steady backup point guard … Four-year college player who showed steady improvement each season, adding polish and readiness that should appeal to teams seeking immediate depth … His combination of size, experience, improved shooting, and defensive reliability gives him a chance to stick as a low-mistake rotation piece … Fits best in a system where he can play alongside another creator, operate as a secondary ball handler, and defend opposing guards … If his shooting proves translatable on higher volume and he can consistently hold his own defensively against NBA athletes, he has a realistic chance to carve out a Theo Maledon–type role … If the shot volume doesn’t scale, he profiles more as a depth guard or two-way option … Ultimately, his long-term value hinges on the sustainability of his shooting improvement, which is the clear swing skill in his evaluation …

Notes: Jaden Bradley measured 6′ 2.50” barefoot, 205.4 lbs, 6′ 6.25” wingspan, 8′ 0.00” standing reach, 30.5 no step vertical, and 36.0 max vertical at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine…. 2025–26 (Senior): 39 GP, 30.6 MIN, 13.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.4 SPG, 46.3 FG%, 39.4 3PT%, 80.9 FT% … Began his career at Alabama, earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2023 after starting 22 games and leading the team in assists 17 times … Transferred to Arizona and developed into a key contributor on a high-level team … Also posted solid junior production (12.1 ppg, 3.7 apg, 1.8 spg) and flashed shooting ability earlier in his career (46.4% from three as a sophomore in limited attempts) … Averaged 6.4 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 20 minutes per game as a freshman at Alabama … High school resume includes McDonald’s All-American honors and North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year … Played at IMG Academy and previously led Cannon School to a state title … Known for toughness, steady demeanor, and a team-first approach …

Aran Smith 4/5/26

Strengths: 6’3 point guard … Good strength and solid physicality … Quick with the ball. Good body control at the rim … Gets to the rim off the dribble with either hand and uses body well to shield the ball from the defense. Selective driver and doesn’t force an attack against a set defense. Doesn’t hunt for his scoring opportunities or force offense in general … Scoring stats: (5th best) 17.6 PPG 45.2% FG% Nike EYBL 2021, (1st) 15.5 PPG 58.6% FG% NBPA Top 100 2021, 9.9 PPG 48.3% FG% NIBC 2021-22 … Has shown some improvement as a 3PT shooter for his senior year. From shooting 5.9% 3PT% on 1.5 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL and 33.3% 3PT% on 0.5 3PT attempts per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2021, improving to 42.9% 3PT% over the NIBC in 2021-22 … Draws fouls at a high rate and good free throw shooter. Shot 6.4 free throws per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021. Shot a 3rd best 83.3% FT% over the NIBC in 2021-22 … Provides ideal floor general traits and plays at a great pace. Very good ball-handler and passing ability. Doesn’t hold the ball or over-dribble. Good pick and roll ball-handler. Assist stats: (1st) 6.1 APG to 3.9 TPG Nike EYBL 2021, (1st) 5.2 APG to 1.7 TPG NBPA Top 100 2021, (2nd) 5 APG NIBC 2021-22 … Can play off the ball. Constantly moving, directing traffic, and setting off-ball screens … Solid rebounder for position … Good lateral quickness and on-ball defender. Very active and anticipates off the ball, constantly rotating. Averaged 1.4 steals per game over the Nike EYBL and finished 3rd in steals with 1.7 per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2021 …

Weaknesses: Isn’t real explosive and a below the rim finisher … Has shown 3PT shooting improvement in his senior year but still has a way to go to become a true perimeter threat. Although he shot a very respectable 42.9% 3PT% over the NIBC, it’s over a very low volume at 0.9 3PT attempts per game (3-7 3PT) … Can cut down on turnovers. Although he led the Nike EYBL in assists, he also led in turnovers with 3.9 per game in 2021 … Has had success scoring at the high school level, but doesn’t have an abundant scoring arsenal, explosive athleticism, and still developing as a shooter; scoring at the next levels may not be as translatable … Can gamble a bit defensively … While always solid, he can blend in at times …

Outlook: Incoming Alabama freshman … Transferred to IMG Academy for his senior year … 2022 McDonald’s All-American … 2020 North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year … Scored 15 points in the 2019 Underclasssman All-American Game …

Evan Tomes 7/28/22