Former NBA player Shawn Bradley paralyzed after a cycling accident

Former NBA player Shawn Bradley disclosed Wednesday that he was paralyzed two months ago when he was struck from behind by a vehicle while riding a bike near his Utah home.

The statement issued through the Dallas Mavericks on behalf of the 48-year-old Bradley was the first public acknowledgement of the incident involving the second overall pick in the 1993 draft by Philadelphia.

The 7-foot-6 Bradley was riding his bike about a block from his home in St. George, Utah, on January 20th when he was struck, causing a traumatic spinal cord injury, the statement said.

Bradley has been hospitalized since the accident, undergoing neck fusion surgery and rehabilitation.

Bradley spent the last eight-plus seasons of his 12-year career with the Mavericks, who acquired him as part of a nine-player trade with the New Jersey Nets in 1997.

Two years earlier, his origina; NBA team the 76ers had traded Bradley to the Nets.

(Image Credit: AP)