Pic credit:  Cairns Taipans

Pedro Bradshaw (201-G/F-1998, college: Bellarmine) is a 26 year old 201cm forward from Kentucky playing his fourth professional season and first in Germany with the Rostock SeaWolves. He played his first 3 seasons in the G-League playing with the Salt Lake City Stars, Sioux Falls Skyforce, Iowa Wolves and the last 2 seasons with the Indiana Mad Ants averaging 9.3ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 75.6% and : 8.6ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 43.0%, 3PT: 40.2%, FT: 75.4%. He began his basketball career with Russelville High School and finished his career as the high school’s all-time leading scorer (1,938 points) and rebounder (1,169). He played a season and 10 NCAA games with Eastern Kentucky University and then played at Bellarmine University (NCAA2) from 2019-2021 averaging 9.2ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 80.0% and 16.0ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.5apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 83.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Pedro for talking to germanhoops.com. After 3 years in the G-League and in Australia, you now are in Europe for the first time having signed with German easyCredit BBL team Rostock Seawolves. How excited are you to test the waters in Germany?

I’m very excited. It’s a really cool opportunity that opened up during the FIBA break and it’s also my first time ever being in Europe period, so I’m definitely thrilled to get the ball rolling with the new team.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball?

I know a little bit only because I’ve got friends that play and have played in the league, but I’ve always seen how talented, competitive, and fast-paced the league is so it’ll be nice to be able to see and play against some familiar faces out here.

Have you had any friends or former opponents or teammates ball in Germany? Bellarmine legend Braydon Hobbs had a fantastic career overseas and reached the Euroleague with FC Bayern Munich.

I remember always seeing Braydon’s play within the German league and his transition to the EuroLeague, and he always seemed to be calm, cool, and collected like he always plays. He never got sped up, made the right play every time and knocked down shots. His game wasn’t flashy, but he got the job done wherever he played so it was respected and he eventually got to the highest level overseas which was always very impressive to me.

What were the main reasons for joining the Rostock Seawolves and how did the talks go with head coach Przemyslaw Frasunkiewicz? What did you like most about his basketball philosophy?

I knew the team was having a good season and currently in the playoff hunt, which helps when it comes to recruiting any player. My former teammate in the G-League, Derrick Alston Jr., was with the team the past two seasons so I got to see highlights of him along the way while he was here. And a good friend from back home, JeQuan Lewis, just recently joined the team about a month or so again, so having a familiar face in a new place never hurts either. But the conversations with Coach were great, I can tell he is very knowledgeable about the game and he’s a player coach. Always seems to get the most out of his guys, he instills a lot of faith and confidence in his players and they trust him. The thing I liked most about his philosophy is that he mostly just wants his players to and just be solid and get stops consistently defensively, play freely and confidently offensively, and play high IQ basketball on both ends of the court.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I watch a lot of different guys that I take different things from. Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Derrick White, Haywood Highsmith, KCP, Donte DiVincenzo, Max Christie, Royce O’Neal, etc. These are all guys that can shoot and score, but also do so many other things on both sides of the ball to help their teams win games.

You’re a player with an all around nice game. What is your biggest strength and how much is versatility a focus in your game?

Versatility has always been a big part of my game. I was taught by my grandad to play that way because it keeps you on the floor longer and makes you even more valuable to any team if you can play and guard multiple positions. Shooting is probably the biggest strength because every team in the world needs it, but I think rebounding is a close second, and I’ve always had a good feel for passing and being a secondary playmaker.

You shot over 40% from outside for 3 different G-League teams as well as in college. Where do you see your development as a three point shooter at the moment? What steps do you still need to do to reach the next level?

I think it’s important to obviously be consistent, but continuing to learn how to keep raising my efficiency. And that comes with reps but also watching film to see where my best looks/shots come from and will be and emphasizing getting to those looks and working on the footwork of those shots. Being cognizant of not shooting all of my bullets too early, you have to play with some calmness and pace when you’re playing or else it’ll affect your efficiency. So a lot of it is about finding your rhythm and balance and just trusting your work and taking your shot when it’s there.

What kind of a defender would you call yourself now and to what level do you want to bring your defensive game to?

I’m usually starting out as a wing defender, but as the game goes on, I’ve mainly been used as a POA defender in my past few seasons as a pro. Guarding a lot of smaller and quick and shifty guards that can really score. Fighting through ball-screens, picking guys up full-court, trying to slow them down and disrupt their rhythm, etc. But I definitely want to continue to learn more techniques as far as getting through ball-screens and chasing guys off multiple down-screens. My feet are usually quick enough to get through and keep up, but anytime you can get through a screen, it blows up the offense. Alex Caruso and Lu Dort are two of the best in the NBA at that.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

Continuing to build a rhythm and consistency is always a focal point wherever I am. Consistency is the hardest aspect of any sport because no practice or game is ever the same every time. So you have to find ways to find that level of consistency so you can improve and have success night in and night out.

You began the season with Cairns Taipans (Australia-NBL). What kind of an experience was Australia and the NBL? This is an up and coming league. How would you compare it to the G-League?

There’s some small similarities but the NBL is a lot more physical and there’s more of an emphasis to win each game. It’s a shorter season so every game matters. In the G, winning matters, but development and helping guys get call-ups is always the #1 thing, which is never a bad thing. And it’s tougher to have a consistent team in the G-League because you have assignment guys that come down from time to time, along with the three two-way players so the rotation shifts constantly.

I can´t remember ever seeing a player play for 4 G-League teams in a season, but you did playing with the Salt Lake City Stars (NBA G League) averaging 8.3ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.3apg, in Dec.’21 signed at Sioux Falls Skyforce (NBA G League) averaging 5.0ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.3apg, in Jan.’22 signed at Iowa Wolves (NBA G League): averaging 1.7ppg, 2.3rpg, in Feb.’22 signed at Fort Wayne Mad Ants (NBA G League): averaging 5.7ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 33.3%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 80.8%. How challenging was it playing for 4 teams?

That was my toughest season because it was my rookie year. It was hard to stick. I was just trying to survive through the season. I had 23 points on 5-8 from the three that game, then didn’t really play much the next handful of games because we brought down two assignments and our two-way guys, so eventually I got waived in Salt Lake City then was picked up by Sioux Falls, spent some time there and played well then Mario Chalmers came back to get a 10-day and Javonte Smart was coming back to the team, so I was waived again after a month or so. Then I got a call from Iowa to fill in for a player who had COVID-19 at the time, so I was only there for a couple weeks. Then I got a call from Chris Taylor in Fort Wayne and ended up finishing the last couple months of the season with them, even had a game winner in one of the last games.

What was your wake up call to being a rookie in the G-League where you knew OK I´m playing for teams run by NBA teams?

Seeing the assignments and two-ways coming up and down from the NBA team to the G-League team. That was a big wake-up call. And obviously playing the games and practicing against current and former NBA guys was an eye-opener too. Rudy Gay practiced with us once in Salt Lake and that was insane to see because he’s 6’8-6’9, 240-250 and moved with so much pace. It looked like he wasn’t even trying (and maybe he wasn’t) out there, and he was always a guy I loved to watch so that was a fun little experience.

In Salt Lake city you were teammates briefly with Carsen Edwards. What memories do you have of him and how excited to play against him in a few weeks?

Carsen was always the first guy in the gym and one of the last to leave. He had a great season that year and ended up signing a standard with Detroit to finish the season. Seeing how hard he worked was insightful. We all saw him kill it at Purdue, especially in the NCAA Tournament, but it’s different getting to see why he’s so good. I would come in the gym and just sit and watch him workout. He’s extremely detailed and disciplined with his footwork and technique and how many shots he’s making from each spot and being strategic about each part of his workout. And we ended up having a good relationship because he respected how I worked as well and the way I played so that was always big for me. To have someone like that really see and respect what you do, especially as a rookie, that’s always stuck with me so it’ll be amazing to see him again soon.

You only played briefly for Ernst Scott at Iowa. He played in the easyCredit BBL more than 15 years ago. What kind of a coach was he?

Coach E was the assistant in Iowa at the time, but knew he wanted to be a head coach at some point in time. And he’s well-equipped for the job, he was obviously a player, he’s a players coach, and just very personable and professional. He really knows the game from all angles. We built a good relationship there too and we’ve talked from time to time to check in with each other, so I’ll always have a ton of love and respect for E.

In your second season you played for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (NBA G League) averaging 9.3ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 75.6%.You were efficient in the 19 minutes that you averaged. How tough is it not being able to average 30 minutes and possibly getting that NBA call up? Do you play for the NBA call up or is your focus elsewhere?

Honestly, I just wanted to prove that I really could play in that league (and the NBA). The roster was 12 guys, there were 9 E-10s and two two-ways and I was the only standard G-League guy on the team. That would probably be my favorite season so far just because of how I played with all the talent that was on the team throughout that season. David Stockton, Jordan Bell, Gabe York, Elfrid Payton, Justin Anderson, Norvel Pelle, Jermaine Samuels, Trevelin Queen, Kendall Brown, Eli Brooks, Jordan Bone, etc. I just wanted to learn from those guys and prove that I could be an important piece and have an impact on winning each time I stepped on the floor.

In your next season there you averaged 8.6ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 43.0%, 3PT: 40.2%, FT: 75.4%, in 23 minutes of time. You had some good games that season. What was your summary of 3 years G-League basketball? What do you feel did you most gain from the experience?

I think I was able to find myself a little bit and build foundational aspects of the player I can be for my career. But I also learned how good you truly have to be to make it into the NBA. It takes a little luck and perfect timing as well, but you have to be good in so many ways on and off the court to get a chance.

You played at Eastern Kentucky University (NCAA) playing 10 games averaging 2.4ppg, 1.8rpg. How tough was this season after being redshirted at Belmont. What positives could you take from this season?

That was a tough season because I had transferred in at Christmas break the year prior so I had to wait until that point that season and it was a new coach other than who I came to play for. So after Christmas break, I got some spot opportunities here and there but the coach ultimately told me at the end of the season that he wanted to bring his own guys in. So that was tough, especially after just transferring the year before, I had to do it again.

You then finished at Bellarmine University (NCAA2) averaging 9.2ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 80.0% and 16.0ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.5apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 83.5%. You made a big jump in your game in your last season. How did your game grow then?

I did a lot of film study on Alex Cook that summer going into my last year. AC was the senior and best player the year before and was deciding if he wanted to go pro or not during that summer. But I watched film on him and how he got to his spots within the offense and had him meet me in the gym a couple times right before the season just so he could show me a couple things in regards to how he picked his spots and also how he drew fouls from those spots.

You had some huge games against Army, N Alabama and Jacksonville. What was your fondest moment on the court?

It would probably be one of the games against Kennesaw State, only because they had a freshman guarding me who was long and a good defender and he tried to trash talk a little. I saw it as respect, but I would just grin and score on him whenever I wanted. I liked him game though, he became a really good player for their team the following season.

How did head coach Scott Davenport groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He would talk about the importance of work ethic a lot. He’s been coaching for a long time, and he’s seen it all at this point, so he would reference certain players from his days coaching for Rick Pitino at UofL and his early days at Bellarmine and just stress how important not only working hard, but how to make the most of your time so you’re not building bad habits and working on the wrong things.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Alex Cook?

AC. He was so strong, quick and athletic so he would use that to his advantage every time. But I’d definitely get him now, no question.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your career in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Probably Dylan Windler, even though we were teammates at Belmont. I was on the second team and would always have to guard him and we’d have some battles. He really improved as a scorer and shooter during his time there, but the way he rebounds and cuts has never wavered. I was able to pick up a lot from him during that time that’s helped me out to this day.

Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time?

In no order: 1. Gabe York 2. Jordan Bell 3. Elfrid Payton 4. Trevelin Queen 5. Jermaine Samuels

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

1. LeBron James 2. Magic Johnson 3. Michael Jordan 4. Kobe Bryant

Who is your Goat and why?

LeBron is definitely my GOAT. The longevity factor obviously plays a huge role, but he’s also won everywhere he’s been, and teams are completely different after he’s gone. He also has exceeded every expectation that was put on him from the time he was 16 to now as a 40-year old. Plus, I always loved watching him fly through the air to dunk, but it was mainly the way he controlled a game with his playmaking and passing ability.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

They definitely should’ve left it alone. I’ve watched it a couple times. It has a few funny moments in there, like any scene with Tracy Morgan was hilarious. The casting was good overall, the premise was good too. But all in all, they could’ve just let that one be, everything doesn’t need a part two or a reboot.

Thanks Pedro for the chat.