'Unwavering belief' guides Jalen Bridges in pro basketball journey

PORTLAND, Maine. - Jalen Bridges believes he's a perfect fit in Portland. The second-year guard is enjoying his time in Maine in a system that caters to his playing style.

"The Celtics organization is known for threes and playing fast and flying around since Joe (Mazzulla) has been at the helm," Bridges recently said on "Bites and Basketball." "It's an exciting culture and I think my game goes hand in hand. I knock down threes, I play defense, and I play my tail off. It's a great fit." 

Bridges came to Maine after playing his rookie season on a Two-Way contract with the Phoenix Suns. This offseason, the former Baylor standout signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics and spent the preseason with Boston, before joining the team's G League affiliate in Maine. He's quickly embraced life in the northeast.

"I love it. The scenery is beautiful and reminds me a little bit of home, but if it was on the ocean instead of the Appalachian mountains," he laughed. "The organization is awesome. Everyone is great and bought in, and they care. I'm excited to see where the season goes."

After Bridges' rookie season was packed with 'surreal' moments. He appeared in eight NBA games with the Phoenix Suns in 2024-25, making him the first player from West Virginia to play in an NBA game since 2019. Bridges also got to be teammates with Kevin Durant, his favorite basketball player growing up.

"You always grow up saying, 'I want to make it to the NBA.' But everybody says that, not everyone gets to actually live that dream out. It's a testament to all the hard work instilled and me and the values and coaching instilled in my all my life. It takes a community and everyone that poured into me. We must have done something right."

A key part of that community is Bridges' wife, Maddox, who has been with Bridges since his days at West Virginia. She's traveled alongside him throughout his basketball career, and the two were recently married this year. Bridges is the only player on this year's Maine Celtics that is married; and he admits it can be challenging for his partner to always bounce around wherever his basketball career takes him.

"It can be rough because it's a selfish business. I can only imagine her side of things. She's not the one that does what I do, but she's affected by what I do. That makes it tough, but she's my rock. I love her to death, it's been awesome. She's my unwavering support system that's with me through thick and then from West Virginia to Waco to Phoenix to now Maine. She's the best, I couldn't do it without her."

A key contributor to this year's Maine Celtics, Bridges is embracing the latest stop in his basketball journey on and off the court. He tried lobster for the first time, has spent time exploring the city, and is pushing himself to earn an NBA Call-Up. He loves the intimate atmosphere of the Portland Expo and the community that pours into it on game nights. Through the ups and downs, Bridges will never stop believing in himself and his dream of playing in the NBA, and he said that's the best advice he can give to young fans who will watch him play at the Expo.

"Have unwavering belief in yourself. Never have anyone tell you what you can and can't do in your life. You never know where you'll find yourself one day. I never thought I would be in this position. You never know, so work every day and don't let anyone knock you down. Always have unwavering belief in yourself and be your own biggest fan."

Bridges and the Maine Celtics look to continue their winning ways when they return to the Portland Expo this weekend against the College Park Skyhawks. Tickets are available here.