Hornets’ Miles Bridges on biggest play of his career, strengths of his game

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges hangs from the rim. (Nick Wass/AP)

Miles Bridges has had an impressive start in the NBA.

The Charlotte Hornets star participated in the 2019 Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie last year. In February, he was crowned the MVP in the NBA All Star Rising Stars Game for Team USA.

And amid this COVID-19 outbreak, Bridges celebrated his birthday Saturday. Although it probably wasn’t how he pictured he would spend his birthday (the Hornets were originally scheduled to play the Los Angeles Lakers), fans certainly appreciated interacting with the now 22-year-old in a Twitter Q&A as he celebrated at home.

With the NBA suspendeding on March 11 and athletes and fans alike practicing social distancing, Bridges has had plenty of time at home to enjoy some of his hobbies — he shed some light on how he’s passed the time.

“Playing a game, working out and just chilling with my family,” Bridges said.

Bridges was also asked what he considers to be the biggest play of his basketball career. Despite nearly two years in the NBA and two years at Michigan State under his belt, he went even further back in his career for his biggest play.

“It was probably in high school at the Chick-Fil-A Classic,” he said. “We played Oldsmar Christian, went to two overtimes. I think we won by a buzzer-beater.”

In that 2015 game, Bridges’ school, Huntington Prep, beat Oldsmar Christian 65-64 to move on to play for the Chick-Fil-A National Division title, where they ended up losing. Before the title game, Bridges was averaging 18 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks and three steals at that tournament.

Standing at six-foot-six, Bridges is known as a dunk machine, with several notable dunks in his career ending up on highlight reels. But the 22-year-old revealed he was around five-foot-10 when he dunked for the first time.

Before the season was suspended, Bridges was averaging 13 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He credits his versatility as one of his strengths, including his ability to guard any player on the court.

And although he’s only played 145 pro games so far in his career, the Hornets forward has noticed a major difference since his first game in the league.

“I’d have to say the pace of the game,” Bridges said when asked about the biggest difference he’s seen between his first and second year in the NBA. “It’s slowed down for me and I pay more attention to details.”

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