Bradley played collegiately for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected 13th overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers.

[2] As a college player, Bradley made one of the most memorable plays in University of North Carolina history on Jan. 17, 1979.

With the game clock under 10 seconds and the Tar Heels trailing by one point in a road game against rival N.C. State, Bradley stole the ball from Wolfpack guard Clyde Austin and dribbled for an uncontested dunk that gave UNC a 70–69 win.

His prowess at forcing turnovers and defending opposing players in college earned Bradley the nickname "The Secretary of Defense."

[4] In 1994, he was named head coach of the Brevard College Tornados men's basketball team, a position he held until 1999.