Mikal Bridges

Mikal Bridges (born August 30, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) and weighing 209 pounds (95 kg), Bridges is widely regarded as one of the premier “3-and-D” wings in basketball, known for his elite perimeter defense and high-efficiency three-point shooting.

He holds the longest active “Iron Man” streak in the NBA, having never missed a game in his professional career.

Bridges won two NCAA national championships at Villanova (2016, 2018) and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2022.

Early Life 

Bridges was born in Philadelphia and raised in Malvern, Pennsylvania, by his mother, Tyneeha Brown, who served as the Vice President of Human Resources for the Philadelphia 76ers.

He attended Great Valley High School, where he was a standout performer.

Despite his talent, Bridges was a late bloomer physically, which led him to be ranked as a four-star recruit rather than a top-tier national prospect. He committed to Villanova University to play under coach Jay Wright.

College Career

Bridges redshirted his first year at Villanova (2014-15) to develop his frame and skill set.

During the 2015-16 season, he emerged as a key defensive specialist off the bench, helping the Wildcats win the NCAA Championship.

By his junior season (2017-18), Bridges had transformed into a dominant two-way force, averaging 17.7 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 43.5% from three-point range.

He led Villanova to its second national title in three years and was named the recipient of the Julius Erving Award as the nation’s top small forward.

 

NBA Career

Phoenix Suns (2018–2023)

Bridges was selected 10th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by his hometown Philadelphia 76ers, but in a shocking turn of events, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns on draft night for Zhaire Smith and a future first-round pick.

In Phoenix, Bridges became a foundational piece of the team’s resurgence. He played a vital role in the Suns’ run to the 2021 NBA Finals and finished as the runner-up for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022. Throughout his tenure in Phoenix, Bridges never missed a single game, earning a reputation for unparalleled durability.

Brooklyn Nets (2023–2024)

On February 9, 2023, Bridges was traded to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a blockbuster deal for Kevin Durant. In Brooklyn, Bridges saw his offensive role expand significantly, averaging 26.1 points per game over the final 27 games of the 2022-23 season.

Despite the Nets’ roster transitions, Bridges remained the team’s primary scoring option and defensive anchor through the 2023-24 campaign.

New York Knicks (2024–present)

On June 25, 2024, Bridges was traded to the New York Knicks for Bojan Bogdanović and a haul of five first-round picks. The trade reunited Bridges with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, creating the “Nova Knicks” core.

In his first full season in New York (2024-25), Bridges helped the Knicks secure a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference, providing the defensive versatility needed to complement Brunson’s scoring.

In the current 2025-26 season, he is averaging 18.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 39% from beyond the arc.

Career Highlights and Awards

• 2× NCAA Champion: 2016, 2018
• NBA All-Defensive First Team: 2022
• Julius Erving Award: 2018
• NBA Iron Man: Has not missed a game in 8 seasons

External Links

• Mikal Bridges on NBA.com
• Mikal Bridges on Basketball-Reference.com