Jaden Bradley likes to let his play on the court do the talking, so it’s no surprise that he didn’t make an official announcement last month about putting his name in the 2025 NBA Draft. The same thing happened a year ago.
It’s also not surprising that Bradley was among 50 early entrants who officially withdrew from the draft process, according to a list released Friday by the NBA. Bradley’s appearance on a similar list last May marked his official return to Arizona for a second season, and now a third season.
The 6-foot-3 Bradley did not receive invites to either the NBA Draft Combine, like former UA teammate Carter Bryant, or to the G League Showcase where ex-Wildcat Caleb Love impressed earlier this month. His entry into the draft was likely just to get further feedback from scouts and league personnel about areas where he can improve.
That same feedback helped Bradley put together a solid 2024-25 season with the UA, one in which he started all 37 games and averaged 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 46.7 percent shooting. He averaged 15.3 points on 54.3 percent shooting during the NCAA Tournament, making 5 of 9 3-point attempts.
Bradley, whose “re-signed” with Arizona back in April, will be one of four seniors on the 2025-26 roster along with returners Tobe Awaka and Anthony Dell’Orso and former Harvard guard Evan Nelson. Arizona has signed six freshmen, including guards Brayden Burries and Bryce James.
Notable names on the draft withdrawal list include Ruben Chinyelu and Alex Condon of defending national champ Florida, whom the UA opens the season against Nov. 3 in Las Vegas, former Texas Tech forward Darrion Williams, who transferred to NC State, and ex-Wildcat commit Joson Sanon, who is set to play at St. John’s after one season with ASU.