Miles Bridges Bio
Miles Emmanuel Bridges Sr. is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on March 21, 1998, in Flint, Michigan, he played college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans before being selected 12th overall in the 2018 NBA draft. A versatile forward, he has developed into one of the Hornets’ leading scorers and a familiar presence in the team’s rotation.
Standing 6 feet 7 inches and listed at 225 pounds, Bridges plays both power forward and small forward. He is recognized for his scoring range, rebounding, and high-flying athleticism. His journey from Flint to the NBA has included standout high school honors, a celebrated college career, and significant professional milestones.
Early Life and Background
Miles Emmanuel Bridges Sr. was born on March 21, 1998, in Flint, Michigan, to Raymond and Cynthia Bridges. His father Raymond, a two-time basketball state champion at Flint Northern High School, introduced him to the game at the age of two. He also credits his sister Tara Rushing as an important figure in his childhood, providing steady support as his athletic talents developed.
He attended middle school at Woodland Park Academy in Grand Blanc, Michigan, and began sharpening his skills at a local YMCA at age 12, where he trained alongside future teammates under coach Keith Gray. He played his freshman season of high school basketball at Flint Southwestern Academy, where he averaged 10 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks per game, leading his team to the regional semifinals.
Path to Basketball
After his freshman year, Bridges transferred to Huntington Prep School in Huntington, West Virginia, where he played his final three high school seasons. The move, encouraged by former Flint guard Javontae Hawkins, was seen as a way for Bridges to focus on basketball away from the distractions of his hometown. As a junior, he helped Huntington Prep reach the 2015 Dick’s Sporting Goods High School Nationals Tournament semifinals.
Bridges finished his high school career as a five-star recruit ranked among the top ten players in the 2016 class by Rivals.com and eighth overall by ESPN. He was named a McDonald’s All-American and competed in the Jordan Brand Classic, declining offers from Kentucky, Kansas, and Oregon to commit to Michigan State on October 3, 2015.
Miles Bridges Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
At Michigan State under head coach Tom Izzo, Bridges made an immediate impact. In his debut against Arizona on November 12, 2016, he scored 21 points with seven rebounds and later tallied 33 points in a January 2017 loss to Purdue. He earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, second-team All-Big Ten recognition, and multiple weekly conference awards.
As a sophomore, Bridges announced he would return to Michigan State, fueling national championship expectations alongside incoming freshman Jaren Jackson Jr. After a 2018 NCAA tournament upset loss, he declared for the 2018 NBA draft, finishing his college career as a consensus second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten selection.
Charlotte Hornets Era (2018–Present)
On June 21, 2018, the Los Angeles Clippers selected Bridges with the 12th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft and traded him to the Charlotte Hornets on draft night in exchange for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He signed a four-year, $16.3 million contract with the Hornets on July 2, 2018, and quickly became a regular contributor, participating in the 2019 Slam Dunk Contest and winning Rising Stars Challenge MVP honors in February 2020.
In November 2021, Bridges scored a then career-high 35 points against the Atlanta Hawks. Following a 30-game league suspension in April 2023, he returned in November 2023 and immediately delivered a 17-point performance against the Milwaukee Bucks. He scored a then career-high 41 points versus the Los Angeles Lakers on February 5, 2024, and followed it with 45 points against the Toronto Raptors two days later. On July 14, 2024, he re-signed with the Hornets on a three-year, $75 million contract. On March 7, 2025, he posted a career-high 46 points in a 118–117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Playing Style and Strengths
Bridges is naturally right-handed but shoots left-handed after breaking his right arm at age six. He blends perimeter scoring with rebounding and playmaking, using his 6-foot-7 frame to defend multiple positions. His ability to hit threes in clutch moments, such as the overtime winner against the Boston Celtics in November 2023, highlights his confidence in late-game situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bridges’ tenure with the Hornets includes the 2020 Rising Stars Challenge MVP award, multiple 30-point games, and a career-high 46-point performance in March 2025. He has also made headlines off the court, including a 2022 felony domestic violence case that resulted in three years of probation following a no contest plea in November 2022.
Miles Bridges Career Wins
Bridges has notched numerous individual scoring milestones and earned team and league recognition since joining the Hornets, including a Rising Stars Challenge MVP award and several high-scoring performances across multiple seasons.
NBA Highlights
Since being drafted in 2018, Bridges has been a regular starter and leading scorer for Charlotte. His career scoring highs of 35, 41, 45, and 46 points have come in games against the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He has also contributed key assists, rebounds, and game-winning shots for the franchise.
Other Performances
Bridges earned consensus second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2018, along with Big Ten Freshman of the Year recognition in 2017. He was also a McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic participant in 2016.
Miles Bridges Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
His father Raymond Bridges is a two-time basketball state champion at Flint Northern High School and introduced Miles to the game at a young age. His mother is Cynthia Bridges, and his sister Tara Rushing played a key supportive role in his upbringing.
Personal Life
Miles Bridges has four children with his ex-wife Mychelle Johnson. Outside of basketball, he makes rap music under the name RTB MB. He is naturally right-handed but plays basketball left-handed after breaking his right arm at age six.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NBA season, Bridges remained a central figure for the Charlotte Hornets after re-signing on a three-year, $75 million contract in July 2024. His career-high 46-point outing against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 7, 2025, underscored his continued scoring growth and importance to the team’s offense.
With a stable roster and a clear role as a primary scoring option, Bridges entered 2025 with momentum from his late-season performances. His combination of perimeter shooting, rebounding, and playmaking positioned him as the centerpiece of the Hornets’ rebuilding effort.
As the 2025 season progressed, Bridges’ leadership and production remained critical to Charlotte’s competitive direction, reinforcing his status as a franchise cornerstone.
