Bradley Beal's Tenure

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Lore & Background

Beal was selected by the Washington Wizards with the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. In eleven seasons with Washington, he was named to the All-Rookie First Team in 2013, the All-NBA Third Team in 2021, and was a three-time All-Star. Beal is second on the Wizards' all-time leading scorer list. Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2023, forming a big 3 with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker; however, he struggled with constant injuries during his Suns tenure. One of Beal's contracts - a five-year, $251 million supermax contract with a no-trade clause, initially signed with the Wizards - gained notoriety as among the worst in NBA history.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Beal's Washington tenure was defined by breakthrough scoring nights balanced against persistent injuries. In the 2016–17 season, he recorded a then-career-high 51 points in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers on December 5, 2017. That same year, he led the Wizards to their first Game 7 since 1979 against the Boston Celtics, scoring 38 points despite the eventual loss. However, the physical toll was evident; during the 2014–16 period, he missed significant time with a scaphoid fracture in his left wrist, a stress reaction in his right fibula, and a sprained pelvis. Despite playing a career-low 55 games in 2015–16, he still managed to average a then-career-high 17.4 points per game. His time concluded with a five-year, $251 million supermax contract that gained notoriety as one of the worst in NBA history.

Reader's Guide

Beal attended Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis, Missouri. He competed for the U.S. in the 2010 FIBA Under-17 World Championship, winning the championship while averaging 18 points per game. In addition to winning the tournament, Beal made the All-Tournament Team and won the MVP award. During his senior year of high school, Beal averaged 32.5 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game and 2.8 assists per game. At the end of Beal's senior season, he was named the 2011 Mr. Show-Me Basketball which recognized him as the top high school basketball player in the state of Missouri. He was also named the 2011 Gatorade National Player of the Year. On November 30, 2009, Beal committed to the University of Florida. Beal accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the university, where he played for coach Billy Donovan's Gators team during the 2011–12 season. In his first game at Florida, Beal started and recorded 14 points. Beal was named SEC Freshman of the Week on November 28, 2011. During the week of 11/21–11/28, Beal averaged 18.5 points, seven rebounds, two assists and 1.5 steals in two wins over Wright State and Jacksonville. Beal would go on to win five additional SEC Freshman of the Week honors and be named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and was a first-team All-SEC selection. Beal finished the season averaging 14.8 points per game. He also helped his team advance to the Elite Eight during the NCAA tournament before being ousted by Louisville. On April 13, 2012, Beal declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his final three years of college eligibility. On June 28, 2012, his 19th birthday, Beal was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards. Beal was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December 2012 and January 2013. On January 4, 2013, in a game against the Brooklyn Nets, Beal scored a then career high 24 points and hit a clutch three-pointer to send the game to double overtime; the Wizards went on to lose the game. On January 17, Beal set a then career best with six three-pointers made in a loss to the Sacramento Kings. He went on to be selected to appear in the Rising Stars competition at the 2013 All-Star weekend. On April 3, 2013, it was announced that Beal would miss the remainder of the 2012–13 season with a right leg injury. At the end of the season, after playing 56 games, he was named to t

Did You Know?

• Beal is second on the Wizards' all-time leading scorer list.
• He was named the 2011 Gatorade National Player of the Year.
• Beal won the MVP award at the 2010 FIBA Under-17 World Championship.
• He was drafted third overall by the Washington Wizards on his 19th birthday.