‘I think it’s going to be special’: Izzo sees bright future for Hornets’ Miles Bridges

When the brackets for this year’s NCAA Tournament were unveiled, Miles Bridges was no different than the millions of onlookers curious about the regional composition of the 68-team field.

But an ironic twist puts the Charlotte Hornets forward in a class all by himself.

“Seeing that they are coming there, it’s crazy because I’m gone right now,” Bridges told The Observer in a phone interview. “It’s kind of crazy that I’m gone and that they are coming to Charlotte. But I’m going to still try to see them.”

Bridges is referring to Michigan State, which tips off a full day of first-round action at Spectrum Center on Thursday. The ninth-seeded Spartans match up with No. 8 Mississippi State, meaning the coach who recruited Bridges out of high school and had him under his tutelage for two seasons is in town while the Hornets are immersed in their 10-day road trip, staying in Orlando until they leave Friday to head to Georgia for Saturday’s game with Atlanta.

Tom Izzo, a father figure for Bridges for years, still raves about the 25-year-old and cracks a huge smile flashing back to the times they shared, way before Bridges was selected in the 2018 NBA Draft and traded to Charlotte from the LA Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“We love Miles,” Izzo told The Observer following Michigan State’s practice on the arena’s main floor Wednesday. “He was absolutely great. I’m not Kentucky. I don’t have nine million superstars. He was one of the most kind, autograph signing. ...

“And I just felt like, yeah, he had a tough incident, a tough time. But I know the kid pretty well and I don’t know if I’ve had a better … I mean him and (Memphis’) Jaren Jackson were there together and they were two superstars that had humility and humbleness, And that’s not the norm. That’s why when things went wrong, I didn’t bail on him because I really love him. And I really do, too.”

Bridges didn’t play in 2022-23 following his no contest plea for felony domestic violence and sat out the first 10 games of this season as part of his NBA-mandated suspension. He’s been the Hornets’ most reliable player, taking huge statistical leaps compared to his career averages in points, rebounds and assists.

He’s posting 21.2 points, grabbing 7.5 rebounds and distributing 3.4 assists per game. Even his 3-point percentage and free throw percentage are up despite being a focal point for opposing defenses thanks to the Hornets’ inordinate amount of injuries.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” Izzo said. “When I had him, he never complained. In fact, his freshman year, we lost three centers and we had what I would consider an average year for us. We got beat in the second round and he went through a lot there and still wanted to come back. He could have left. Who does that? He actually said, ‘I want to get better.’

“I said, ‘You’re illegal. You are not even legal Miles. Get the hell out of here.’”

In a pinch, Izzo recalls the moment as if it happened only hours ago.

“But God I just, if you would have been there that day when he announced he was coming back, I swear to you, you can ask him,” Izzo said. “I almost tried to talk him out of it. I said, ‘Miles, why?’ And he had a couple of good reasons, and I just really appreciated him.

“And then we went 30-5 and had a hell of a year, and it didn’t necessarily move his status up a lot because at 6-6, 6-7, that’s not going to happen. But at the same time, that’s the kind of guy he is. He had his dreams of what he wanted to accomplish and I got to go along for the ride.”

Chief among the things Bridges picked up under Izzo: how to endure.

It’s carried over to his time as a pro. Since returning from his suspension, he’s missed just one game. And that had nothing to do with injury. He couldn’t clear Canadian customs before the Hornets’ outing against Toronto in December.

Otherwise, with the exception of rookie Brandon Miller, no one has been available more for the injury-ravaged Hornets than Bridges. He attributes picking up that, along with many other acquired qualities, during his tenure with the Spartans.

“It’s prepared me for everything — us dealing with injuries, me playing heavy minutes — just trying to get through adversity,” Bridges said. “I feel like me playing at Michigan State, since I got to Michigan State, he made us go through adversity just prepare us for anything in life. And I feel like that’s one of his biggest strong suits.

“He just expects the best out of you, and moving forward I feel like that has helped me out, just me giving my all wherever I go. Because he kind of can teach work ethic, and that’s something you can’t teach. And he’s learned how to teach that. So, I just feel like (it’s) me bringing work ethic to everything.”

Izzo marvels at Bridges’ dependability on the court.

“I think he got hurt once,” Izzo said. “And he practiced hard, he practiced every day. He didn’t take days off. He was a treat to coach and I’ve had some good guys. But I think durability is very critical. I think it’s going to help him in his NBA career. I think he’ll be able to play for a long time. He’s just got to figure (it) out, take care of himself.

“I think he’s figured what crowd to hang with, what crowd not to hang with. All those things. I mean, they are factors. Everybody is 20, including me and you. But his coach (Steve Clifford) has been great. He’s been in contact with me early when he got back with the team, and I just think he’s lucky. And that’s why he wants to be here.”

With unrestricted free agency looming this summer, Bridges’ future with the Hornets will be a pressing topic over the coming months. He’s expressed multiple times his preference is to stay with the Hornets and Izzo believes Charlotte is the perfect place for Bridges to continue his career.

“I think it would be good for him,” Izzo said. “That’s what he is — he’s a pretty loyal guy and I don’t think he’s just chasing the money. He’s had a chance to leave already probably, you know? And I talk to him about it. It’s almost refreshing. He’s kind of an old school throwback, young school guy. And if he just gets everything else straightened out, which he will, I think it’s going to be special.”

Sounds similar to the run Bridges hopes the Spartans can potentially pull off. In possibly enemy territory, no less, given the number of Tar Heel fans that could help transform Bridges’ home NBA arena into the Dean Smith Center.

“But it’s good if they get past the first game and get to UNC,” Bridges said. “Then it’s going to be an away game for sure. So, it will test us. So, if we can get past this weekend, I feel like there’s nothing stopping us from getting to the Final Four.”