University of Georgia Athletics
Quick Chat: Braelen Bridges
February 24, 2023 | Men's Basketball, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Braelen Bridges isn't shy about talking about the importance of mental health. In fact, he hopes to have a podcast one day that speaks directly to the topic of athletes and their mental health.
The 6-foot-11 fifth-year center had the best game of his career earlier this month, scoring a career-high 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting and grabbing 11 rebounds against Ole Miss on Feb. 7. It was his third double-double of the season.
During a recent Quick Chat, Bridges talked about mental health, plans for life after basketball, his funniest teammate, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:Â
Frierson: This far into your college career, how different is your appreciation for the game now versus when you first got to college? I'm guessing you understand the game on a much deeper level now, as well.
Bridges: It's just the little things as far as mental health and just taking care of your body, stuff like that. I know much better the importance of all of that and that's big for me now, especially the mental health.
Frierson: How do you deal with your mental health? do you talk to a professional or is it simply recognizing when you're not having a great mental health day and taking a step back to acknowledge it?
Bridges: It's a little bit of both. It's about looking into who can help me out in those areas, or just sitting back and having a mental day to yourself.
Frierson: What do you do to get away from school and basketball?
Bridges: I either go see a movie, or just get away from sports, period. Anything that doesn't have to do with sports. It's hard not to watch, it's hard not to watch basketball, but I try to take a day off every now and then.
Frierson: Do you feel a difference when you've done that? Do you wake up the next day feeling like you've had a break?
Bridges: Yeah, you're more antsy to get on the court and get back to work.
Frierson: If you could steal a move or a shot or an attribute from any player ever, what would it be?
Bridges: I feel like my hook shot is pretty good, so I'd say the shooting of somebody like Stephen Curry or Kevin Durant. That's something I'd love to have.
Frierson: The game has changed so much in the past 15 years or so, with the 3-pointer sort of taking over the game. Do you feel like your game might have been better suited to the previous era?
Bridges: I feel like I can adapt to either, but I feel like I would be more valuable back when it was Tim Duncan playing with his back to the basket. Guys that played that way back then were pretty valuable.
Frierson: When you look at someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo, what do you think when you see all of the incredible things he does on the court?
Bridges: I wonder how they take care of their body so well to continue to do it every night at that size and weight. It's just amazing to watch.
Frierson: Do you think about coaching one day?
Bridges: I definitely want to do something in basketball. I have a passion for basketball, so I don't want to get out of it even when I stop playing. I'll probably either have a mental health podcast or something like that, talking about sports, anything to do with sports.
Frierson: Since Justin Hill has just walked by us, and his name comes up a lot when I ask this question, I'll ask it now: Who is the funniest person on the team?
Bridges: [Laughs as Hill waits for his answer] Yeah, it's probably Justin. Sometimes it's effortless and sometimes he tries to be funny, and he's still funny. He's definitely funny and talented.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
