Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bradley Beal

How Bradley Beal built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Bradley Beal is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. He is known as “the Big Panda”. Beal is a three-time NBA All-Star and has been selected to the All-NBA Third Team once. He is a recognized figure in professional basketball.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1979: Wizards First Game 7 since 1979

In May 2017, the Wizards played in its first Game 7 since 1979, which Bradley Beal led with 38 points.

2005: Wizards Last Reached Second Round of Playoffs

In 2014, when Bradley Beal and the Wizards defeated the Bulls in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, it was the first time since 2005 that the franchise had reached the second round.

2010: FIBA Under-17 World Championship

In 2010, Bradley Beal competed for the U.S. in the FIBA Under-17 World Championship, where he won the championship while averaging 18 points per game.

November 28, 2011: SEC Freshman of the Week

On November 28, 2011, Bradley Beal was named SEC Freshman of the Week. During the week of 11/21-11/28, he averaged 18.5 points, seven rebounds, two assists and 1.5 steals in two wins over Wright State and Jacksonville.

2011: Plays for Florida Gators

In 2011, Bradley Beal played for coach Billy Donovan's Gators team at the University of Florida after accepting an athletic scholarship.

April 13, 2012: Declares for NBA Draft

On April 13, 2012, Bradley Beal declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his final three years of college eligibility.

June 28, 2012: Drafted by Washington Wizards

On June 28, 2012, his 19th birthday, Bradley Beal was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards.

2012: Drafted by Washington Wizards

In 2012, Bradley Beal was drafted by the Washington Wizards with the third overall pick.

January 4, 2013: Career High Against the Brooklyn Nets

On January 4, 2013, Bradley Beal scored a then career high 24 points and hit a clutch three-pointer to send the game to double overtime against the Brooklyn Nets, though the Wizards ultimately lost.

November 10, 2013: Career High 34 Points

On November 10, 2013, Bradley Beal surpassed his then-career high by scoring 34 points in an overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

April 29, 2014: Wizards advance to second round of Eastern Conference Playoffs

On April 29, 2014, Bradley Beal and the Wizards defeated the Bulls in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, moving the team on to the second round.

November 4, 2015: Wizards Win Against Spurs

On November 4, 2015, Bradley Beal scored a game-high 25 points and made a three-pointer with 0.3 seconds remaining to lift the Wizards to a 102–99 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

July 26, 2016: Re-signs with Wizards

On July 26, 2016, Bradley Beal re-signed with the Washington Wizards on a five-year, $128 million contract.

November 19, 2016: Scores 34 Points Against Heat

On November 19, 2016, Bradley Beal scored 34 points in a 114–111 loss to the Miami Heat.

February 6, 2017: 41-Point Effort Against Cavaliers

On February 6, 2017, Bradley Beal had a 41-point effort in a 140–135 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

February 24, 2017: Scores 40 Points Against 76ers

On February 24, 2017, Bradley Beal scored 40 points in a 120–112 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, recording his fourth 40-point game of the season.

March 29, 2017: Breaks Franchise Single-Season Three-Point Record

On March 29, 2017, Bradley Beal scored 27 points in a 133–124 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, surpassing Gilbert Arenas for the franchise single-season three-point record with 209 three-pointers by the end of the game.

May 12, 2017: Game 6 win against Celtics

On May 12, 2017, Bradley Beal scored a game-high 33 points to help the Wizards avoid elimination and force a Game 7 in their second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics with a 92–91 Game 6 win.

November 1, 2017: Season-High 40 Points

On November 1, 2017, Bradley Beal scored a then season-high 40 points in a 122–116 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

November 20, 2017: Youngest Player to Reach 700 Three-Pointers

On November 20, 2017, in a 99–88 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Bradley Beal scored 23 points and became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 700 made three-pointers.

December 5, 2017: Career-High 51 Points

On December 5, 2017, Bradley Beal scored a then career-high 51 points in a 106–92 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, including five three-pointers and a career-high 21 field goals.

2017: Partnership with St. Louis Eagles

In 2017, Beal formed a partnership with the St. Louis Eagles AAU basketball club, which he played for in high school, and the organization was renamed Bradley Beal Elite.

2017: 21st 1,800-Point Season

In 2017–18, Bradley Beal recorded the 21st 1,800-point season in team history.

December 31, 2017: Wizards Win Over Bulls

On December 31, 2017, Bradley Beal scored 17 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter to lead Washington to a 114–110 win over the Chicago Bulls. He scored 15 straight points in the fourth as the Wizards rallied from an eight-point deficit early in the period. He also had nine rebounds and tied a then career high with nine assists.

March 4, 2018: Career-High 11 Assists

On March 4, 2018, Bradley Beal recorded 22 points and a then-career-high 11 assists in a 98–95 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

March 14, 2018: Wizards Win Against Celtics

On March 14, 2018, Bradley Beal scored 34 points in a 125–124 double-overtime win over the Boston Celtics.

October 20, 2018: Franchise Record for Most Three-Pointers

On October 20, 2018, Bradley Beal scored 32 points, going 6 for 11 on three-pointers, in a 117–113 loss to the Toronto Raptors. He broke Washington's franchise record for most three-pointers in a career, surpassing Gilbert Arenas (868) by making his 869th during the fourth quarter.

April 2019: Franchise History Milestone

In April 2019, Bradley Beal became the first player in Wizards franchise history with 2,000 points, 400 rebounds, and 400 assists in a season. He also became the first player in Wizards franchise history to average at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists, while appearing in all 82 games for the second consecutive season.

October 17, 2019: Contract Extension with Wizards

On October 17, 2019, Bradley Beal signed a two-year contract extension worth a maximum of $72 million to remain with the Wizards.

October 30, 2019: 46 Points Against Rockets

On October 30, 2019, Bradley Beal recorded 46 points and 8 assists in a 159–158 loss to the Houston Rockets.

February 23, 2020: Scored Career-High 53 Points

On February 23, 2020, Bradley Beal scored a then career-high 53 points in a loss to the Chicago Bulls. During the game, Beal also passed Jeff Malone for second on the Wizards' all time scoring list.

July 7, 2020: Opted Out of NBA Restart

On July 7, 2020, it was announced that Bradley Beal would not participate in the 2019–20 NBA restart in Walt Disney World at Orlando due to a shoulder injury.

2020: Committed to U.S. Olympic Team

In 2020, Beal committed to playing on the U.S. Olympic team, which was delayed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Career-High Scoring Season

In the 2020-21 season, Beal achieved a career-high average of 31.3 points per game. He finished second only to Steph Curry, who averaged 32.0. The 31.3 points per game for a season stands as the franchise record.

January 6, 2021: Tied Franchise Record with 60 Points

On January 6, 2021, Beal scored a career-high 60 points in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, which tied Gilbert Arenas' Wizards franchise record for points scored in a game by an individual.

February 8, 2022: Season-Ending Wrist Surgery

On February 8, 2022, Bradley Beal decided to undergo season-ending surgery on his left wrist. Beal played 40 games on the season but also shot a career-low 30% from three-point range. He averaged a career-high 6.6 assists per game.

June 30, 2022: Declined Player Option

On June 30, 2022, Beal declined his $36.4 million option to become a free agent.

February 28, 2023: Scored Season-High 37 Points

On February 28, 2023, Beal scored a season-high 37 points in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.

June 24, 2023: Traded to Phoenix Suns

On June 24, 2023, Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns along with Jordan Goodwin and Isaiah Todd in exchange for a package that included draft picks, Landry Shamet, and Chris Paul.

November 8, 2023: Suns Debut

On November 8, 2023, after missing the first seven games of the season due to lower back tightness, Beal debuted with the Phoenix Suns against the Chicago Bulls, scoring 13 points in 23 minutes during an overtime win.

2023: Trade Discussions

In 2023, Beal and the Wizards began discussing possibly trading him to another team during the offseason.

2023: Traded to Phoenix Suns

In 2023, Bradley Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns where he struggled with constant injuries during his time there.

January 11, 2024: Scored 37 Points Against Lakers

On January 11, 2024, Beal scored 37 points and made 8-of-10 three-pointers in a win against the Los Angeles Lakers.

April 14, 2024: Helped Suns Secure Playoff Spot

On April 14, 2024, Beal scored a game-high 36 points and grabbed a team-high 6 rebounds in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, helping the Suns secure a spot in the playoffs.

2024: Acquired Naming Rights to Sports Facility

In 2024, Beal acquired naming rights to a sports facility in Chesterfield, Missouri, and the Beal Center now hosts Bradley Beal Elite team events.

January 6, 2025: Moved to Bench

With the Suns at 15-18, on January 6, 2025, the Suns moved Beal to the bench in favor of Ryan Dunn for their game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Beal scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half, helping Phoenix snap a four-game losing streak.