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 with 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. Beal earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2013 and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2021. A three-time All-Star, Beal ranks second on the Wizards' all-time leading scorer list. He was traded to the Suns in 2023.

Sections (4)

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

1979: Wizards first Game 7 since 1979

On May 15, 2017, Beal led the Wizards—a team playing in its first Game 7 since 1979—with 38 points, including 24 in the second half, but he couldn't lead them to victory as they fell 115–105 to bow out of the playoffs with a 4–3 defeat.

2005: The Wizards reached the second round of the 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, a feat the franchise hadn't reached since 2005.

November 30, 2009: Committed to the University of Florida

On November 30, 2009, Bradley Beal committed to the University of Florida.

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 the 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 the 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 the Washington Wizards

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

January 4, 2013: Scored Career High 24 Points

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; the Wizards went on to lose the game.

November 10, 2013: Surpassed Career High with 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: Defeated the Bulls in the First Round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs

November 4, 2015: Scored Game-High 25 Points 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 a five-year contract

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

November 19, 2016: Scored 34 Points in Loss to 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 another 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, recording his fourth 40-point game of the season.

March 29, 2017: Surpassed Gilbert Arenas for 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. During the game, Beal surpassed Gilbert Arenas for the franchise single-season three-point record, finishing with 209.

May 12, 2017: Helped Wizards Avoid Elimination 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: Scored Season-High 40 Points Against Suns

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 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: Scored Career-High 51 Points Against Trail Blazers

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

2017: Recorded 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 subsequently named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, December 25 through Sunday, December 31.

March 4, 2018: Recorded Career-High 11 Assists Against Pacers

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 in Double-Overtime Win Over Celtics

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

October 20, 2018: Broke Washington's Franchise Record for Most Three-Pointers in a Career

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: First Player in Franchise History

In April 2019, Bradley Beal became the first player in 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: Signed 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: 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, also passing 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, Bradley Beal scored a career high of 60 points in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, tying Gilbert Arenas' Wizards franchise record.

February 8, 2022: Season-Ending Wrist Surgery

On February 8, 2022, Bradley Beal planned to undergo season-ending surgery on his left wrist, marking a challenging point in the season despite averaging a career-high in assists.

June 30, 2022: Beal Declines Player Option

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

February 28, 2023: Season-High 37 Points

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

June 24, 2023: Trade to Phoenix Suns

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

November 8, 2023: Suns Debut

On November 8, 2023, Bradley Beal debuted with the Suns, scoring 13 points in an overtime win against the Chicago Bulls.

January 11, 2024: 37 Points Against Lakers

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

April 14, 2024: 36 Points Against Timberwolves

On April 14, 2024, Bradley 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.

January 6, 2025: Beal Moved to Bench

On January 6, 2025, the Suns moved Bradley Beal to the bench in favor of Ryan Dunn. In his first game off the bench in nine years, Beal scored 25 points in a win against the Philadelphia 76ers.