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 Phoenix Suns. Drafted third overall by the Washington Wizards in 2012 after playing college basketball for the Florida Gators, he spent eleven seasons with the Wizards, achieving recognition as an All-Rookie First Team member in 2013, an All-NBA Third Team selection in 2021, and a three-time All-Star. Beal ranks second on the Wizards' all-time leading scorer list. He was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2023.

Sections (4)

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

1979: Wizards First Game 7 Since 1979

In 1979, before May 12, 2017, was the last time the Wizards played in a Game 7.

2005: Wizards Last Reached the Second Round

In 2005, was the last time before April 29, 2014 that the Wizards had moved on to the second round of the playoffs.

2010: FIBA Under-17 World Championship

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

2011: Played for the Florida Gators

In 2011, Bradley Beal accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida, where he played for coach Billy Donovan's Gators team during the 2011–12 season.

April 13, 2012: Declared 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, which was his 19th birthday, Bradley Beal was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards.

2012: Drafted by the Washington Wizards

In 2012, Bradley Beal was selected by the Washington Wizards as the third overall pick in the NBA draft.

January 4, 2013: Career High Against Nets

On January 4, 2013, in a game against the Brooklyn Nets, Bradley Beal scored a then career high 24 points and hit a clutch three-pointer to send the game to double overtime, although the Wizards 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: Playoff Win Against Bulls

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: Game-Winning Shot 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-signed with the Wizards

On July 26, 2016, Bradley Beal re-signed with the Washington Wizards, continuing his career with the team.

November 19, 2016: Scored 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: Scored 41 Points 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: Scored 40 Points Against 76ers

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

March 29, 2017: 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 and surpassed Gilbert Arenas for the franchise single-season three-point record.

May 12, 2017: Game 6 Win Against Celtics

On May 12, 2017, Bradley Beal helped the Wizards avoid elimination and force a Game 7 in their second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics with a game-high 33 points in 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 to Reach 700 Made 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, hitting five three-pointers and making a career-high 21 field goals.

2017: 1,800-Point Season

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

December 31, 2017: Led Wizards to Victory 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 was also named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

January 23, 2018: Named NBA All-Star

On January 23, 2018, Bradley Beal was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career.

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: Scored 34 Points 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 Three-Pointers

On October 20, 2018, Bradley Beal scored 32 points and broke Washington's franchise record for most three-pointers in a career, surpassing Gilbert Arenas with his 869th three-pointer during the fourth quarter in a 117–113 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

April 2019: First Player in Franchise History with 2,000 Points, 400 Rebounds and 400 Assists

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 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: Signed Contract Extension

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: Recorded 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: Career-High 53 Points

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

July 7, 2020: Beal Opts Out of NBA Restart

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

January 6, 2021: Career High 60 Points

On January 6, 2021, Beal scored a career-high 60 points in a loss against the Philadelphia 76ers, tying Gilbert Arenas' Wizards franchise record.

February 8, 2022: Season-Ending Wrist Surgery

On February 8, 2022, Beal planned to undergo season-ending surgery on his left wrist. During the season Beal averaged a career-high 6.6 assists per game.

June 30, 2022: Beal Declines Option

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

February 28, 2023: Season-High 37 Points

On February 28, 2023, Beal scored a season-high 37 points in a 119–116 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

June 24, 2023: Traded to the Phoenix Suns

On June 24, 2023, Bradley Beal, along with Jordan Goodwin and Isaiah Todd, was traded by the Wizards to the Phoenix Suns.

November 8, 2023: Suns Debut

On November 8, 2023, Beal made his debut with the Suns against the Chicago Bulls, scoring 13 points in 23 minutes after missing the first seven games due to lower back tightness.

January 11, 2024: 37-Point Performance Against Lakers

On January 11, 2024, Beal scored 37 points and made 8-of-10 three-pointers in a 127–109 win against the Los Angeles Lakers.

April 14, 2024: 36 Points Against Timberwolves

On April 14, 2024, Beal scored a game-high 36 points and grabbed a team-high 6 rebounds in a 125–106 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

January 6, 2025: Moved to the Bench

On January 6, 2025, with the Suns at 15-18 to start the 2024-25 campaign, the Suns moved Bradley Beal to the bench in favor of Ryan Dunn for the game against the Philadelphia 76ers.