Each season is no different for North Carolina basketball. At an iconic program like UNC, national championships have always been the standard.
However, the UNC basketball program also strives to develop its student-athletes, positioning them to succeed at the next level. And there’s no bigger form of success than an NBA championship.
Former Tar Heel and current member of the Indiana Pacers, Tony Bradley, is headed to the NBA Finals, where he’ll have the chance to fulfill that lifelong dream of winning an NBA championship.
Coming out of high school, Bradley was a high-pedigree recruit, ranked No. 26 in the 2016 class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He was also honored as a McDonald’s All-American — one of the most prestigious accolades in high school basketball.
Bradley spent just one season at North Carolina. He was a freshman on the 2016-2017 national championship squad. The 7-footer played an important part in UNC’s championship run, providing a great spark for the Tar Heels off the bench. Bradley put together an efficient freshman campaign, averaging 7.1 points and 5.1 rebounds on 57% shooting in just under 15 minutes per game. With his insane 7-foot-5 wingspan, Bradley also offered great length to clog up the lane and deter shots on defense. Bradley served as the talented backup for UNC veteran and stud big man Kennedy Meeks.
After Bradley finished his freshman season on the mountaintop of college hoops, he elected to take the next step in his career, entering his name in the 2017 NBA Draft. Bradley was selected No. 28 overall by the Los Angeles Lakers before having his draft rights traded to the Utah Jazz. Bradley hasn’t had the flashiest NBA career thus far or fully lived up to his high school potential, but he’s managed to stay in the league for seven seasons, and that in itself is an accomplishment.
In the NBA, Bradley was at his best in the back stretch of the 2020-2021 season, during his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He averaged 8.7 points and 6.1 rebounds in 22 games. This season, Bradley has battled injuries, only appearing in 14 games during the regular season. In a limited role, he averaged 4.4 points and 3 rebounds per contest.
During the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Bradley appeared in games 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus the New York Knicks. Across those four games, Bradley logged 9.5 minutes per night, backing up starting center Myles Turner. Unfortunately, Bradley strained his hip flexor in Game 5, cutting his playing time short. He was listed as available for Game 6 but remained sidelined, as the Pacers closed out the series on their home floor, eliminating the Knicks from the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Now, the Pacers face the tall task of matching up against a juggernaut Oklahoma City Thunder team in the NBA Finals. The Thunder are the heavy betting favorites to take the title, featuring a loaded roster, headlined by league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Pacers will have their hands full, and it’s a long shot, but maybe they can shock the world and pull off the underdog story.
Tar Heel Nation should tune in for Game 1 on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. EST and support Bradley as he chases his first NBA championship. He should be healthy enough to play some spot minutes when needed. If Bradley and the Pacers win the championship, he’d join some elite company as a player who’s won a college championship and an NBA championship, along with being a first-round draft selection. There have only been 57 players in history who have won both an NCAA Division I Basketball championship and an NBA title.
It’s always special seeing Tar Heels play on the biggest stage, pursuing their dreams.