Eric Bledsoe: From Kentucky Wildcat to NBA Journeyman
Eric Bledsoe, born on December 9, 1989, is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Known for his athleticism and versatility, Bledsoe has carved out a noteworthy career spanning from his college days at Kentucky to multiple NBA teams.
Early Life and High School Career
Eric Bledsoe grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where his mother, Maureen Reddick, worked hard to raise her three children by herself. He attended Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama. As a senior in 2008-09, he averaged 20.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 11.5 assists per game, and helped lead Parker to a 5A state championship runner-up finish. Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Bledsoe was listed as the No. 3 point guard.
College Career at Kentucky (2009-2010)
Bledsoe played one season at Kentucky in 2009-10, and averaged 11.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 37 games (35 starts) to help the Wildcats to a 35-3 record and Elite Eight appearance. He was named to the Sporting News SEC All-Freshman Team and was a CollegeInsider.com Freshman All-American. During his time with the Wildcats, Bledsoe showcased his scoring ability, reaching double-digit points in 20 games.
Memorable Performances
One standout performance during the NCAA tournament saw Bledsoe score a career-high 29 points, including eight three-pointers, setting a Kentucky school record. Even though he was a natural point guard, he often played as a shooting guard.
NBA Draft and Early Years (2010-2013)
During pre-draft workouts, Bledsoe was touted for his quickness, ball handling ability, and ability to make three-point field goals. He was subsequently selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, but was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Read also: Eric Freeny's impact on UCLA
Los Angeles Clippers (2010-2013)
In his first season, he averaged 6.7 points and 3.6 assists and started 25 games. As a result, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. In his second season, due to the Clippers' acquisition of Chris Paul, he played only an average of 11 minutes per game, with only one start, and his stats dropped. In fact, during that season, he ended up being assigned to the Clippers' NBA Development League affiliate team, the Bakersfield Jam. However, during his third season, his statistics ended up rising in spite of still being behind Chris Paul for most of the games that he played.
Phoenix Suns (2013-2017)
On July 10, 2013, Bledsoe was traded to the Phoenix Suns alongside teammate Caron Butler in a three-way trade with the L.A. Clippers and the Milwaukee Bucks that sent the Suns' Jared Dudley and the Bucks' J. J. Redick to the Clippers with two different second round picks going to the Bucks.
Early Impact
On his opening night debut with the Suns, Bledsoe helped the team by getting 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists in a 104-91 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. In his second game with the Suns, Bledsoe hit his first ever game-winning shot in an 87-84 home victory over the Utah Jazz.
Injury Setbacks
Before the November 19, 2013, game against the Sacramento Kings, Bledsoe's shin collided with teammate P. J. Tucker during practice. He would miss six games before returning with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals in a 112-101 victory against the Jazz on November 29, 2013. Bledsoe scored a then-career-high 28 points in a 116-107 victory against the Sacramento Kings on December 13, 2013. During the third quarter of the Suns' last game of 2013 against the Clippers, Bledsoe injured his left shin. What began as a shin injury eventually turned into a meniscus injury that would leave him sidelined for nearly two and a half months. His injury was a leading factor in the Suns signing former player Leandro Barbosa back onto the team for the rest of that season. Bledsoe returned to action on March 12, 2014, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He started for the Suns again and racked up 17 points and 10 rebounds two days later in an 87-80 victory against the Boston Celtics. He continued to start for the team throughout the rest of the season.
Securing His Future with the Suns
On June 27, 2014, the Suns extended a qualifying offer to Bledsoe, thus making him a restricted free agent. After months of deliberation and rumors concerning his future, Bledsoe and the Suns reached an agreement on a new five-year, $70 million contract on September 24, 2014.
Read also: The ERIC Database
Statistical Milestones
In the Suns' 2014-15 season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 29, 2014, Bledsoe recorded 16 points, nine assists, and six rebounds before he drew his second technical foul and was ejected with 30 seconds left in the third quarter. On December 8, 2014, Bledsoe recorded his first career triple-double with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 16 assists in the 120-121 overtime loss to his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers. On December 23, Bledsoe recorded his second career triple-double and first one without resulting in an overtime, as he recorded 16 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in the 124-115 win over the Dallas Mavericks. On January 21, 2015, Bledsoe recorded a career-high 33 points, along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists, in a 118-113 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. On February 26, 2015, Bledsoe recorded a near triple-double with 28 points on 11-of-16 shooting, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists, as well as 4 blocks and a steal in a 117-113 overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Later Seasons with Phoenix
On September 15, 2016, Bledsoe was cleared for his first five-on-five scrimmage play. He made his return to the court in the Suns' season opener on October 26 against the Sacramento Kings.
Milwaukee Bucks (2017-2020)
On November 7, 2017, Eric was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. On November 22, he scored 30 points in a game against his old team, the Suns. On March 30, 2018, he scored 39 points in an overtime win. On February 27, 2019, he had 26 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds in an overtime win. On March 4, he signed a new four-year contract with the Bucks. At the end of the season, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. In December 2019, Eric had a leg injury that kept him out for about two weeks. He helped the Bucks have the best record in the league for two years in a row.
Later NBA Career (2020-2022)
On November 24, 2020, Eric was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. On August 7, 2021, Eric was traded along with Steven Adams, the draft rights to Ziaire Williams and Jared Butler, and a 2022 protected first round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three team deal with the Charlotte Hornets. The Pelicans received Jonas Valančiūnas and the draft rights to Trey Murphy III and Brandon Boston Jr. On August 16, he was traded back to the Los Angeles Clippers. On October 21, 2021, Eric played for the Clippers again for the first time since 2013. On February 4, 2022, Eric was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He reunited with his former teammate and now coach, Chauncey Billups. On March 28, Eric was ruled out for the rest of the season due to pain in his left Achilles tendon.
Move to the Chinese Basketball Association (2022)
On November 19, 2022, Eric signed with the Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese Basketball Association.
Read also: Dyson's Academic Background
tags: #Eric #Bledsoe #college #career #and #stats
