Raptors Secure Versatile Guard
Toronto Raptors Draft Jaden Bradley 50th Overall, Adding Depth at Point Guard
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Key Points
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Bradley is a 6-foot-3 guard who played in 39 games last season and was the Big 12 tournament MVP.
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At the NBA Combine, he posted notable numbers including 63.3% off the dribble, 48.0% on a 3-point drill and 40.0% on spot-up shots, with DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony calling his performance a superb all-around outing and an ideal NBA backup point guard.
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The Raptors view him as a potential backup point guard, but his rookie-season role is not guaranteed.
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Arizona had multiple players drafted in 2026, including Brayden Burries at No. 10 and Koa Peat at No. 30 in the first round, and Henri Veesaar at No. 52 (via Atlanta) after Bradley.
The Toronto Raptors selected guard Jaden Bradley with the 50th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, adding a battle-tested floor general from Arizona. Toronto Sun reported the pick, noting Bradley spent three seasons with the Wildcats after transferring from Alabama, and is 22 years old with no college eligibility remaining.
Bradley averaged 13.3 points, 4.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game in his senior season. He shot 39.4% from three-point range and 46.3% from the field across all 39 starts. Daily Guardian noted he earned Big 12 Player of the Year honors as Arizona reached its first Final Four in 25 years.
Bradley's Big 12 Dominance Drove His Draft Stock Up
Bradley was the best player in the Big 12 this past season. He helped Arizona post a 29-2 regular-season record. On March 13, he hit a buzzer-beater against #7 Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament and was named Tournament MVP. Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said Bradley was "the unquestioned leader" and "a catalyst at both ends of the court in the best conference in the country."
Arizona's run ended at the Final Four — its first trip there since 2001. Bradley also landed on the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List in January. He finished with a 2.6 assist-to-turnover ratio, signaling the kind of low-mistake play NBA teams prize in backup guards. Woodstock Sentinel Review noted the Big 12 Tournament MVP honor as a highlight of his draft case.
A Superb NBA Combine Sealed Bradley's Second-Round Fate
Bradley's draft stock jumped after a strong showing at the NBA Combine in Chicago in May. He shot 63.3% off the dribble, 48.0% on the three-point drill, and 40.0% on spot-up shots. Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress called it a "superb all-around outing" and said Bradley is an "ideal NBA backup point guard" who "ran the show, scored, and played outstanding defense."
Combine measurements put him at 6-foot-2.5 barefoot, 205 pounds, with a 6-foot-6.25 wingspan. That length matters for a guard asked to guard multiple positions. Before the combine, Bradley was a late second-round question mark. After it, the Raptors had their answer at pick 50.
Raptors Target Guard Depth With High-IQ Defender
Toronto has a clear pattern in the second round. The Raptors used recent picks on Jamal Shead and Alijah Martin — both defensive-minded guards. Bradley fits that same mold. The Whig reported that his selection aligns with Toronto's recent second-round strategy. At 22, he is ready to compete now rather than spend years in the G-League.
Bradley said at the combine, "I don't have any eligibility left, so I'm all in. I'm just competing to play at the next level." He enters a crowded backcourt with Immanuel Quickley as the starter and Shead and Martin also competing for minutes. As a late second-round pick, he will likely sign a low-cost contract, giving Toronto a budget-friendly bench option. Daily Herald Tribune noted the Raptors made Bradley their second pick of the draft, after a first-round selection at 19th overall.
Arizona Sends Four Players to the 2026 NBA Draft
Bradley was one of four Arizona players drafted in 2026. Brayden Burries went 10th overall to Milwaukee. Koa Peat was taken 30th and later traded to Phoenix. Bradley went 50th to Toronto. Henri Veesaar, a former Wildcat who transferred to UNC, was picked 52nd by Atlanta. No college program had a stronger draft night.
The haul spans two rounds and includes a freshman, a sophomore, and a four-year veteran. It strengthens coach Tommy Lloyd's recruiting pitch for both top prospects and transfers. Analysts at No Ceilings raised concerns about Bradley's shooting volume and whether his 39.4% three-point rate holds up against NBA length. But supporters call him a "plug-and-play" backup who brings defense and steady decision-making from day one.
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