Matt Bradley has been appointed director of player development for the California Golden Bears men's basketball program for the 2026-27 season, a move that brings a former Cal standout back into the program's inner circle.
A Strategic Addition for the Bears
Head coach Mark Madsen lauded Bradley's leadership and basketball IQ, saying the hire strengthens the staff's ability to mentor the current roster.
Bradley, a native of San Bernardino, California, starred for the Bears before embarking on a professional career abroad in Germany, then returned to campus as a graduate assistant last season.
Beyond his playing days, Bradley spent time teaching K-12 students, serving as a mentor and sports trainer, experiences that he says enrich his approach to developing young athletes.
He expressed enthusiasm about working with the student-athletes and contributing to a program that has recently enjoyed its most successful stretch in a decade.
The Bears capped the 2025-26 campaign with 22 wins, their highest total since 2016, and secured their first postseason victory in eight years, highlighted by eight games with 90-plus points and five players appearing in the nation's top-100 statistical leaders.
Madsen believes Bradley's blend of playing experience, coaching acumen, and community outreach will help sustain the momentum and foster the next generation of Cal basketball talent.