Mikal Bridges Was The Sixers' Nice Hometown Story For About An Hour

A nice little heartwarming story early in the NBA Draft came when the Philadelphia 76ers picked Villanova’s Mikal Bridges with the 10th overall pick. Not only has Bridges spent his entire life around Philly, but his mom, Tyneeha Rivers, also works for the Sixers as VP of Human Resources. Mikal and Tyneeha even gave an interview together on ESPN after the pick was announced, with Tyneeha saying “I’m so excited he’s coming home.”

But about an hour later, Mikal’s perfect story abruptly ended as the Sixers traded him to Phoenix for Zhaire Smith.

Here’s further video of Bridges, who gave an entire press conference under the impression that he’d be playing for the Sixers, and called getting drafted by Philadelphia “truly a blessing.”

Sports is a cruel business.