Greater Columbus Basketball Legend Association

BRAD HOFFMAN
PLAYER

BRAD HOFFMAN

2013 GCBLA inductee

RETURN TO INDUCTEE LISTING

2015 GCBLA INDUCTEE

COLUMBUS, OHIO


​Category: PLAYER

Recognition
Brad is a 1971 graduate of Walnut Ridge High School. He first gained reputation as a sharp-shooter at Roosevelt Junior High School where he was coached by fellow inductee Miller Barnes Jr. Brad’s reputation as “The Blonde Bomber” blossomed as a junior on a star-studded Columbus South varsity basketball team coached by Dick Ricketts. After a family move during the summer, Brad transferred to a already loaded Walnut Ridge team coached by Jackie Moore, which immediately put a lock on the state championship for the Scots, and Brad led them to a undefeated season and the big school state title in 1971. Brad also earned a spot on the all-tournament team and averaged better than 20 points per game. Hoffman, a 5’10 guard, played collegiately for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels from 1972-75, coached by Dean Smith. He played sparingly for his first two years, then became a regular rotation player for his senior season. After graduating from UNC, Hoffman played basketball for Athletes in Action (AIA), a faith-based sports organization. In 1978, this move paid dividends for Hoffman as AIA was selected to represent the United States in the 1978 FIBA World Championships in Manila due to the timing of the tournament ruling out the participation of active college players. The U.S. finished fifth in the games with a 6-4 record. Hoffman finished fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 11.7 points per game in the ten tournament contests.


Career Highlights

  • Brad is a 1971 graduate of Walnut Ridge High School. He first gained reputation as a sharp-shooter at Roosevelt Junior High School where he was coached by fellow inductee Miller Barnes Jr.
  • Brad’s reputation as “The Blonde Bomber” blossomed as a junior on a star-studded Columbus South varsity basketball team coached by Dick Ricketts.
  • Brad transferred to a already loaded Walnut Ridge team coached by Jackie Moore, which immediately put a lock on the state championship for the Scots, undefeated season and the big school state title in 1971.
  • Brad also earned a spot on the all-tournament team and averaged better than 20 points per game.
  • Hoffman, a 5’10 guard, played collegiately for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels from 1972-75, coached by Dean Smith. He played sparingly for his first two years, then became a regular rotation player for his senior season.
  • After graduating from UNC, Hoffman played basketball for Athletes in Action (AIA), a faith-based sports organization.
  • In 1978, Hoffman represented the United States in the 1978 FIBA World Championships in Manila due to the timing of the tournament ruling out the participation of active college players. The U.S. finished fifth in the games with a 6-4 record. Hoffman finished fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 11.7 points per game in the ten tournament contests.