Quotes from Shawn Bradley

Going to the draft, I took two years off to serve my church and my God. There were no secrets, there was no deception; I didn't ask anyone to be drafted No. 2.

I'm taller than Manute. I don't know if he's shrunk, or I've grown or whatnot, but we measured up side to side, and I'm taller. I don't think Manute's 7-7. I don't think he's barely 7-6.

Six months before the end of my mission, I was dogged by the press to give an answer about turning pro. They were extremely persistent.

I've always believed in the concept that you are a different person on the court than you are off. I understand how that works.

I had a very difficult time deciding to go on my mission. It was hard to set aside my basketball career.

Any time you establish new territory for yourself, you've got to feel good.

If you don't get tested throughout your career, people can forget about you.

I followed the Jazz as a kid.

Whether I lived up to people's expectations of changing the game or franchise or what not, look: I went out, I worked hard, I didn't fib or lie or cheat anyone.

I always knew that if I kept working and trying to improve, good things would happen.

I'll continue to work hard, and if I do that, good things are going to happen.

I've always wondered why I'm so tall.

A lot of coaches say to me, 'We're kind of hesitant to recruit you because you're going to BYU.' I tell them, 'I'm keeping my mind open. BYU is a nice place, but I could go anywhere.

I sit down before every game and tell myself I've got to have fun.

I get pretty pumped up when I block shots. I have good timing and I go after it pretty good.

The times you have to get up in the middle of the night and hold one of your children because they're scared of the lightning. Or changing diapers. That togetherness far outweighs the times you don't get to sleep in.

I'll never regret going on my mission.

I just believe you make the best of what you have. So I have to duck through a few doorways or wait a little bit extra to find a new pair of pants. I think it's worth it.

My religion and my family are the two most important things in my life. But I love basketball.

My first baby toy was a basketball and ever since, I've had a basketball in my hands.

I love being who I am. And I would not trade it for anything.

I knew in my heart that it was right to go on a mission, but it required a lot of fasting and prayer to make the decision.Now that I am returned, I realize even more that I made the right decision.

Basketball is fun and you can play with intensity and smile too.

People have always talked about me. People always made fun of me, my whole life. It's always something that's been there. I learned to deal with it at a young age. And as I grew up and it became more prevalent in my life, I was able to control it because I was prepared for each step.