Bradley Beal

photos-behind-the-scenes-for-bradley-beals-re-signing-press-conference

Photos: Behind the scenes for Bradley Beal's re-signing press conference

2012 – Selected 3rd overall in the NBA Draft // The Washington Wizards drafted Bradley Beal with the 3rd overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. As a rookie, Beal hit the ground running, averaging 13.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game during a promising debut season in which he was twice named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month. Beal finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

2014 – Beal’s 1st Playoff Series // Beal got his first taste of postseason basketball in 2014 when the five-seed Wizards upset the four-seed Bulls in their first-round series. Beal starred in Games 2 and 3, scoring 26 and 25 points, respectively, while shooting over 50 percent from 3-point range. His offensive output over the course of the series played a significant role in the Wizards’ triumph over the favored Bulls.

2017 – Beal’s 1st 50-point game // On December 5, 2017, Beal scored a then career-high 51 points in a 106-92 win over the Portland Trailblazers, outpacing the Blazers backcourt by himself, with his 51points surpassing the combined efforts of Blazers’ guards Damien Lillard (30) and C.J. McCollum (14). Beal earned his 51 points the hard way, with only eight of his 21 made field goals coming off assists from teammates. Additionally, Beal became the first player since Chris Webber in 2001 to score 50 points without making at least six threes or five free throws and was the first guard to do so since Michael Jordan in 1988.

2017 – Beal’s breakout playoff series vs. Boston // Beal took his game to a new level during the Wizards’ 2017 playoff run. His offense propelled the four-seed Wizards’ upset attempt in a seven-game Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the top-seeded Boston Celtics, with Beal leading the team in scoring in four of the seven games. In Game 7, Beal scored a game-high 38 points in a 115-105 loss to Boston, setting new playoff career highs in points and 3-pointers made.

2018 – Beal’s 1st All-Star Game // While Beal’s scoring ability was never in question, Beal rounded out his game during the 2017-18 season, averaging then-career-highs in rebounds and assists to accompany his 22.6 points per game. Beal’s development helped him become the youngest player in NBA history to reach 700 made 3-pointers made. His outstanding play was acknowledged by coaches around the league who nominated him to take part in his first NBA All-Star Game. Beal scored 14 points on 50 percent shooting in the All-Star showcase, helping Team Lebron to a 148-145 victory over Team Stephen.

2018 – Beal sets franchise 3-point record // With a fourth quarter 3-pointer in an October matchup with the Raptors, Beal broke the Wizards’ franchise record for three-pointers made in a career, surpassing Gilbert Arenas (868). Beal scored 32 points on the night, making six of his 11 3-point attempts.

2019 – Beal wins the NBA Cares Community Assist Award // At the end of the 2018-19 season, Beal was awarded the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for his commitment to mentoring students and athletes at Ron Brown College Preparatory High School in Washington D.C. Beal presented RBHS basketball players and coaches with new shoes, took students on a private tour of the National African-American History and Culture Museum and hosted a mentoring session followed by a bowling party to celebrate the end of the school year. In addition to the unique relationship he formed with RBHS, Beal donated game tickets to various community groups and provided toys to the Salvation Army to help spread cheer throughout the D.C. community during the holiday season.

2020 Beal records back-to-back 50-point games // On February 23, 2020, Beal erupted for what was then a career-high 53 points in a matchup with the Bulls. Just one night later, Beal surpassed his 53-point outburst with a 55-point performance in an overtime game against Bucks. In doing so, Beal became the first NBA player to score 50-plus points on consecutive nights since Kobe Bryant in 2007. He is also just the sixth NBA player to ever achieve such a feat, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Bernard King, Michael Jordan and Bryant. These performances rounded out one of the most impressive months of Beal’s career in which he led the league in scoring, averaging 36.2 points per game.

2020 – Beal continues his relationship with Ron Brown College Preparatory High School // Beal continued his relationship with RBHS into the next season, donating over 100 tickets for the Wizards season opener. Beal also hosted a holiday dinner in which he and his wife Kamiah handed out gift bags and iPads to 20 top-performing RBHS students and athletes. More importantly, Beal used the $25,000 charitable donation afforded to him for winning the Community Assist Award to sponsor buses taking RBHS students on college tours and provided $3,000 scholarships for four RBHS students attending HBCU’s the following year.

2019-2021 – Beal averages 30 points per game in back-to-back seasons // Beal improved on his All-Star season in 2019-20, averaging 30.5 points per game during a campaign in which he passed Jeff Malone for second place on the Wizards’ all-time scoring list. Beal made yet another jump the following season in which he averaged 31.3 points per game. In doing so, Beal became just the sixth player since the NBA-ABA merger to average 30 points per game in back-to-back seasons, joining NBA legends Adrian Dantley, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant and James Harden.

2021 – Beal scores career-high 60 vs. Sixers // Beal made Wizards history after exploding for a career-high 60 points in a 141-136 loss to the 76ers on January 6, 2021. Beal was unstoppable, making 20-of-35 field goals, 7 of 10 three pointers and 13 of his 15 free throw attempts. Scoring 32 points in the first half alone, Beal joined former Wizard guards Michael Jordan (34) and Gilbert Arenas (33) as the only Wizards players to score 30 points in a half since the turn of the century. The 60-point performance catapulted Beal to the top of the Wizards scoring charts, matching Arenas’ single game franchise scoring record.

2020-2021 – Beal scores 25+ in first 17 games of the season // Beal started the 2020-21 season on a historic hot streak, notching 17-consecutive games with 25-plus points to start the season. Beal’s 17-game streak broke Michael Jordan’s previous mark of consecutive games with 25 or more points to start a season.

2021 – Beal earns first All-NBA nod // Beal finished second in the NBA in scoring at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season, averaging a career-high 31.3 points per game, the sixth-highest scoring average in the last 10 years and the second highest in franchise history. He also posted career highs in field goal percentage (.485) and free-throw percentage (.889) during the season. Beal finished the season with a career-high 34 games of 30-plus points (which ranked third in the league) and eight games with at least 40+ points (which ranked second). These accomplishments earned Beal a place on the All-NBA Third Team. Beal became just the fifth player in Wizards history to earn All-NBA Third Team honors and 14th player overall to earn All-NBA accolades.

bradley-beals-career-timeline

Bradley Beal's career timeline

On the heels of Bradley Beal signing a new five-year contract to remain in Washington, D.C., we take a look back at the All-NBA guard's career in The District so far.

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Bradley Beal's career in Washington

645&nbsp;// Bradley Beal surpassed Greg Ballard (643, 1978-85) for the third-most games played in Wizards history on January 25, 2022, when he took the floor against the LA Clippers. Beal now trails only Elvin Hayes (731, 1972-81) and Wes Unseld (984, 1968-81) for all-time appearances in Wizards franchise history.&nbsp;

14,231&nbsp;// Beal (14,231) ranks second all-time in points scored in franchise history, trailing only Elvin Hayes (15,551). Jeff Malone (11,083), John Wall (10,879) and Unseld (10,624) are the only other players to score over 10,000 points for the franchise.&nbsp;

1,434&nbsp;// Beal (1,434) ranks first all-time in franchise history in 3-point field goals made. Beal is the only player to make more than 1,000 3-pointers for the franchise and has made nearly 600 more threes than Gilbert Arenas (868) who ranks second all-time in 3-pointers made.&nbsp;

2,701&nbsp;// Beal currently ranks fourth all-time in franchise history with 2,701 assists, recently surpassing Kevin Porter (2,593) on the all-time assists leaderboard.&nbsp;Beal needs only 12 assists to surpass Rod Strickland (2,712) for the third-most dimes in franchise history. &nbsp;

6.6&nbsp;// Beal (6.6) set a new career-high in assists per game during the 2021-22 season, surpassing his previous best of 6.1 recorded during the 2019-20 campaign. Beal also recorded at least five assists in 17-consecutive games – stretching from December 11, 2021 to January 29, 2022 – the longest such streak of his career.&nbsp;

3 // A three-time NBA All-Star (2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21), Beal is one of the most decorated players in franchise history. Beal earned All-NBA accolades&nbsp;in 2020-21 after he was named to the All-NBA third team. Beal also&nbsp;finished third in rookie of the year voting in 2012-13 on his way to earning All-Rookie first team honors.&nbsp;

6&nbsp;// Beal followed his then-career-high 30.5 point-per-game 2019-20 season by averaging 31.3 points per game in the 2020-21 season. In doing so, he became just the sixth player since the NBA-ABA merger to average 30-plus points in back-to-back seasons, joining Adrian Dantley, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant and James Harden.&nbsp;

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Bradley Beal's career by the numbers

Three-time All-Star agrees to five-year contract beginning in 2022-23

WASHINGTON, DC – The Washington Wizards announced today that they have signed three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to a five-year contract beginning in 2022-23.

“Bradley has truly established himself among his peers in the NBA, the all-time greats in our team’s history and the leaders who are making a difference in the community over his 10 years with us,” said Chairman and CEO of Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment Ted Leonsis.&nbsp; “He has set a consistent example of hard work and dedication to develop into our franchise player and we are proud to show our commitment to having him continue to lead us on and off the court as he cements his legacy in Washington.”

The 10-year NBA veteran has spent his entire career in Washington, making him one of six active players to have played 10+ years with the same franchise (Udonis Haslem, Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Damian Lillard) and one of only two players (Wes Unseld, 13 seasons) to play 10+ seasons with the Wizards franchise. Beal is the franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers made (1,434) and is on pace to pass Elvin Hayes as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer during the 2022-23 season (he is currently second all-time in points scored with 14,321 to Hayes’ 15,551).&nbsp; He ranks third in games played with Washington at 645, trailing only Unseld (984) and Hayes (731). Beal also ranks in the franchise’s top five in minutes played, assists, steals and free throws.

“I have been blessed to call the city of Washington my home and the Wizards organization and our fans my family for the last 10 years, growing as a player, a leader, a husband and a father along the way,” said Beal. “Today represents such a special moment in my life. I could not be more grateful to have the opportunity to continue to partner with Ted, Tommy, Wes and the entire organization in moving forward to achieve our dream of bringing championships to D.C. and, just as importantly, to help our community continue to accomplish amazing things together.”

Beal narrowly lost the NBA scoring title to Steph Curry in the 2020-21 season, where he averaged a career-high 31.3 points per game on a career-high .485 shooting percentage from the field, earning an All-NBA Third Team nod. With the effort, Beal became just the sixth player since the NBA-ABA merger to average 30+ points in back-to-back seasons, joining Adrian Dantley, Michael Jordan (seven straight) Allen Iverson (twice), Kobe Bryant, and James Harden (three straight). Beal’s 34 games with 30+ points that season ranked as the fourth-most in franchise history and his 60-point effort on January 6 at Philadelphia was the second-highest scoring game in team history.

“Bradley’s level of talent, character and work ethic combine to make him one of the most remarkable players and people I have been privileged to work with over my career in the NBA,” said Wizards President and General Manager Tommy Sheppard.&nbsp; “We have built our roster to complement his all-around game and couldn’t be more excited to have him make the commitment to keep our franchise moving in the right direction.”

The 29-year-old holds career averages of 22.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Beal is one of six D.C. athletes to be with their respective team 10+ seasons, joining Capitals Nicklas Backstrom (15), John Carlson (13), Dmitry Orlov (10) and Alex Ovechkin (17), and National Stephen Strasburg (13). He is coming off a 2021-22 campaign cut short due to a wrist injury which saw him average a career-high 6.6 assists in 40 games played.

Beal was named the 2018-19 Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award winner for his off-court community initiatives, highlighted by his unique and extensive relationship with Ron Brown College Preparatory High School. Beal has continued his community efforts in the DMV, most recently with a refurbishment project for the basketball courts at Banneker Community Center in Columbia Heights.

wizards-re-sign-bradley-beal

Wizards re-sign Bradley Beal

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On Tuesday night, the Wizards acquired guard Austin Rivers from the Clippers in exchange for center Marcin Gortat.

Rivers, 25, just finished his sixth NBA season after spending time with the Hornets/Pelicans and Clippers. The son of Clippers head coach Doc Rivers was a five-star player out of Winter Park, FL and the No. 1 player in the Class of 2011. The younger Rivers would go on to play at Duke for one season before being selected No. 10 by New Orleans.

The 6’4” guard averaged career-highs in 15.1 points, 4.0 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game during the 2017-18 season with the Clippers. Rivers improved his 3-point shot during his three seasons in Los Angeles, making a career-high 37.8% from beyond the arc last season. He took 5.9 3-pointers per game last season, which will bode well as the Wizards want to attempt more triples in the 2018-19 season.

"Acquiring Austin gives us another versatile, experienced player who provides scoring and playmaking,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “He is coming off a career year and his ability to create offense for himself and others will help our second unit and allow us to play a variety of lineups throughout the season.”

A combo guard, Rivers has decent size and gives the Wizards another ball handler. He can play off the ball, knock down 3-pointers, and finish at the rim. Rivers can create his own shot and has proven himself as one of the better isolation players in the NBA. Per Synergy, among the 47 NBA players that used over 100 isolation possessions last season, Rivers ranked 5th in scoring efficiency making pull-up jumpers at a very high rate. He has shown an ability to make tough shots with opponents in his face; he made 51.5% of his shots with a defender within four feet or less last season.

Starting 59 of 61 games last season, Rivers played 33.7 minutes per game and will give the Wizards an experienced guard to play behind and with John Wall and Bradley Beal. He provides more depth for a Wizards team that is built on versatility. Expect the Wizards to play him alongside Wall and Beal, as well as the other guard when one of the team's All-Stars needs to rest. The Wizards plan to play small once again next season, which could mean seeing Markieff Morris at the center position at times.

The Wizards hope Rivers can build off of his 2017-18 campaign and give the team a boost in the backcourt next season. The NBA is such a small-ball league now that it never hurts to have as many ball-handlers, shooters, and defensive wings as possible.

With the trade of Gortat, the Wizards will likely look to add depth at center during the rest of the offseason. Free agency begins in July, and trades are always a possibility.

Bradley Beal

Photos: Behind the scenes for Bradley Beal's re-signing press conference

Bradley Beal's career timeline

Bradley Beal's career in Washington

Bradley Beal's career by the numbers

Wizards re-sign Bradley Beal

Wizards boost backcourt with Rivers trade

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Photos: Bradley Beal's 2017-18 Season in Review