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Timberwolves sign Derrick Rose » https://t.co/uNWtsBzW9S pic.twitter.com/TXfBPzN57a

— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) March 8, 2018

Some initial research couldn’t turn up why exactly Bradley was selected for the role; presumably, his 7’6″ frame made it easier to distinguish him from the crowd both as himself and once one of the Monstars stole his powers (I imagine Bogues was tapped for the same, but opposite, reason). USA Today Sports’ Brace Hemmelgarn posited this as the reason for Bradley’s inclusion:


Shawn Bradley certainly didn’t make it into the original Space Jam on talent. He was in because he was the awkward, tall white guy who was OK laughing at himself.

Bradley’s acting chops certainly weren’t winning him any Academy Awards. In his breakdown of the film, Zach Lowe, then of Grantland, had this to say about Bradley’s performance:

Shawn Bradley is a bad version of the Saturday Night Live host who reads cue cards in a borderline monotone, though it is funny watching him lose control of his giant limbs as the Monstars swipe his talent.

As if his subpar acting chops weren’t enough, the filmmakers themselves couldn’t even pretend Bradley was on the same level as the other prominent players involved with the film. Harvard Sports Analyis broke down the box score from the climatic game and had this to say:

Blanko, the Shawn Bradley Monstar, failed to register a single stat throughout the course of the game. Even in a world where Elmer Fudd has a 40-inch vertical, Bradley’s “talent” can’t muster even a shot attempt. This is the most realistic aspect of the movie.