It’s No Joke: BYU’s Bradley Is Turning Pro

Shawn Bradley, a 7-foot-6 center who set an NCAA shot-blocking record as a freshman at Brigham Young, has decided to make himself available for this year’s NBA draft.

The 21-year-old from Castle Dale, Utah, will return in early June from a two-year mission in Sydney, Australia, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Bradley repeatedly had said he would return to the Mormon Church-owned school to play at least his sophomore season. But he told his parents in a phone call from Australia on Thursday night that he had changed his mind.

“When we got the call yesterday, the first thing I said was, ‘It’s April Fool’s, Shawn. Is this a joke?’ ” Reiner Bradley, the missionary’s father, said from Castle Dale on Friday. “Shawn assured me it was April 2 in Australia.”

The elder Bradley said the risk of career-ending injury, a possible cap on NBA rookie salaries and a childhood dream of playing professional basketball were the biggest reasons for his son’s decision.

“We’re devastated to lose such a great player,” said BYU Coach Roger Reid, in New Orleans for the Final Four. “We were counting on having him for another year after his mission.”

Bradley will return to Utah three weeks before the NBA draft. Though he will tower over all NBA players except 7-7 Manute Bol of the Philadelphia 76ers, Bradley weighs 235 pounds. As a freshman, he weighed only 205.

Bradley played for BYU during the 1990-91 season, leading the Cougars to a 21-13 record and an NCAA tournament appearance. He led the nation with 177 blocked shots, an NCAA season record for a freshman, and averaged nearly 15 points and eight rebounds.