Malcolm Moses Adams Brogdon is an American professional basketball player known for his high basketball IQ, steady scoring, strong defense, and character both on and off the court. Born December 11, 1992 in Atlanta, Georgia, Brogdon has built a reputation as a reliable guard through college and an NBA career marked by efficiency, versatility, and adversity. Below is a deep dive into his journey: from college, through injuries, his contracts, his physical stature, and his role/position in teams.
College: University of Virginia
Recruitment & Early Years
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Brogdon attended Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, Georgia. He was recognized as “Mr. Basketball” in Georgia.
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He committed to Virginia (University of Virginia) in 2011, choosing the Cavaliers over other offers.
Freshman Season & Lead-up to Injury
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In his freshman year (2011-12), Brogdon played in 28 games, averaging about 6.7 points per game and 2.8 rebounds per game.
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Late in that season, he suffered a serious injury: a fracture (broken bone) in his left foot. The issue was serious enough that he underwent surgery.
Redshirt Year
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Because of this injury, Brogdon redshirted the following season (2012-13). This means he sat out that season to recover and preserve eligibility. ESPN.com+2Wikipedia+2
Return and Rise
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Once back, he gradually improved across his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. His stats rose in scoring, assists, defensive contributions.
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In 2015, Brogdon had significant honors: consensus second-team All-American; first-team All-ACC; ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
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In his senior year (2015-16), he further elevated his game. He earned ACC Player of the Year, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, was named first-team All-American, and was on the en route list for the Naismith Trophy.
Style & Impact in College
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Brogdon was known for consistency: scoring both off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations. He was also valued for his defense, leadership, and maturity.
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Academically, he was strong; he completed a BA in History and later a Master of Public Policy at UVA.
Injury History
Brogdon’s injury history is relevant both to understanding his development in college and how it has affected his professional career.
College Injury
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Left foot fracture: Near the end of his freshman season, he experienced a broken foot injury. Surgery was required, and he missed the remainder of that season.
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This injury led to a redshirt year (2012-13), giving time for healing and rehab.
NBA / Professional Injury History
After entering the NBA, Brogdon has had multiple injury setbacks, some more serious than others. A summary:
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Foot / ankle injuries: He has had multiple ankle issues, foot injuries, including periods where he’s been sidelined significantly.
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Elbow injury: While playing for the Boston Celtics, during the Eastern Conference Finals he played through an arm injury which was later identified as a partial tear of a tendon in his right elbow.
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Hamstring, knee, groin, other muscle injuries: In more recent seasons, there have been other issues — hamstring strains, knee soreness, etc., which have caused him to miss games sporadically.
Risk Perceptions
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Before the 2016 NBA Draft, Brogdon’s foot injury (fusion surgery) was considered a medical red flag, which may have contributed to him being selected in the second round, despite his collegiate accolades.
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Over his NBA career, availability has been a concern. He has sometimes played fewer than ~55 games in recent seasons due to injuries.
Height, Position & Style of Play
Physical Measurements
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Height: Brogdon is generally listed around 6 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 5 inches tall (≈ 193 cm).
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Weight: Approximately 229 lbs (≈ 104 kg) in NBA listings.
Position & Role
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Brogdon is primarily a guard, capable of playing point guard and shooting guard roles. Depending on team structure, he sometimes plays a combo-guard role.
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His strengths are multiple: scoring efficiently, three-point shooting, free throw shooting, good decision-making, solid defense, basketball IQ, and leadership.
Style of Play
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Not the most athletic in terms of raw explosiveness or verticality, but he uses positioning, fundamentals, high basketball IQ to contribute.
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Plays well off the ball and on the ball: he can drive, finish, spot up, create in pick-and-rolls, etc. Also known for strong free-throw shooting and consistent shooting from deep.
Contract History & Current Deal
NBA Entry & Rookie Contract
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Brogdon was selected in the 2016 NBA Draft, 36th overall (2nd round) by the Milwaukee Bucks.
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As a second-round pick, his initial contract was subject to the rookie scale for second-rounders – meaning more modest compensation compared to first-round picks.
Subsequent Contracts & Extensions
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After proving himself, Brogdon signed larger deals. Notably, after his time with Milwaukee, he joined the Indiana Pacers in 2019 via sign-and-trade, with a 4-year contract worth about US$85 million (≈ $21.25 million per year average).
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In 2022-23, he played for Boston Celtics, and in that season earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, a testament to his value off the bench.
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According to Spotrac, he had contracts with varying guarantees and amounts. For instance, his veteran extension and recent deals are listed.
Current Contract (2025-26 Season)
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On September 12, 2025, Brogdon agreed to a one-year contract with the New York Knicks.
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It is reported to be a non-guaranteed deal. This means the Knicks have less financial risk if things don’t go well, especially considering Brogdon’s recent availability struggles due to injuries.
Why Brogdon’s Story Matters
This profile of Malcolm Brogdon highlights several important insights:
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Overcoming adversity: His foot injury in college could have derailed his career, yet he recovered to become one of the top players in his conference, and later on, a Rookie of the Year in the NBA.
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Versatility and IQ over pure athleticism: While not a high-flyer, Brogdon has carved a role based on skill, efficiency, decision-making, and defensive discipline.
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Injury risk and contract decisions: Teams considering Brogdon must weigh his talent against concerns about his durability. His contracts reflect that risk (non-guaranteed deals, for example).
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Role adaptation: He’s shifted between starting and bench roles, between point guard and shooting guard, as team needs dictate.
Full Timeline & Key Milestones
| Year | Milestone |
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| 2011-12 | Freshman year at UVA; injuries appear (broken foot) |
| 2012-13 | Redshirt season due to injury. |
| 2013-14 | Returns strong; averages ~12.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG. |
| 2015-16 | Senior year; ACC Player of Year, Defensive POY, first-team All-American. |
| 2016 | Drafted 36th overall by Milwaukee Bucks. Rookie contract starts. |
| 2017 | NBA Rookie of the Year. |
| 2019 | Signs with Indiana Pacers on a 4-year, $85 million contract. |
| 2022-23 | Plays for Boston; wins Sixth Man of the Year. |
| 2023-24 / 2024-25 | Spells with Portland and Washington; injuries limit games. |
| 2025 | Signs one-year non-guaranteed contract with New York Knicks. |
Conclusion
Malcolm Brogdon is a player of resilience, adaptability, and intelligence. From overcoming a serious broken foot early in his college career to become ACC Player of the Year and an NBA Rookie of the Year, to navigating injury setbacks, his path shows both triumphs and challenges.
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His height (≈ 6’4-6’5) and weight (~229 lbs) give him a solid guard frame.
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His position is chiefly guard: point guard and shooting guard, often a combo role.
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His contract history reflects his value but also the risk from injuries; now (2025-26) on a one-year non-guaranteed deal with the Knicks.
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His injury history, especially foot/ankle and occasional muscle and elbow issues, has had periodic impacts on playing time.
For fans, analysts, or teams, Brogdon remains a player who, when healthy, can contribute high value: good scoring, efficient shooting, defense, leadership, and a professional attitude.
