New Haven Native To Coach CT's New Pro Basketball Team

NORWALK, CT — As a fledgling pro basketball team prepares to begin its first season, a veteran athlete and favorite state son will be at the helm.

Troy Bradford, former Fairfield University superstar and New Haven native, has been named the coach of the new Norwalk-based Connecticut Cobras team, which will begin playing in The Basketball League starting in March 2022.

“I’m taking it just to help young men reach their goals and their dreams,” said Bradford, who grew up in Hamden and led Wilbur Cross High School to the state championship in 1985 as its starting point guard.

He was named Connecticut Player of the Year, then recruited to Fairfield University, where he set records as a superstar, before going on to play professionally in the United States Basketball League and teams in Spain and Italy.

Bradford then enjoyed a busy coaching career and in 2007 created his own Amateur Athletic Union organization — United Sons and Daughters — which has produced dozens of tournament championships and guided dozens of student athletes toward NCAA Division I basketball programs.

Before the pandemic hit, Bradford had been looking into forming his own TBL team, even finding investors who shared his vision.

“When the pandemic hit it kind of threw a wrench in everything,” he said.

Yet, through serendipity, while the one dream fell away, with the connection to the Connecticut Cobras, a new one supplanted it.

“It’s kind of luck … They were like, ‘We’re looking for a coach,’ (and) it kind of fell in my lap,” he said.

“Troy’s experience both on and off the court professionally fits the Cobras and The Basketball League model that we’ll embody,” owner Anthony Hill said.

“We are excited to have such an accomplished Connecticut basketball legend leading us into our first season in the TBL,” he said.

Bradford wasn’t always going to be a basketball player. His first love as a youngster was football, with Lynn Swann and Tony Dorsett among his heroes.

In fact, basketball didn’t come as easy, but he worked all the harder. Despite being relatively small — Bradford is 5 feet, 10 inches — he demonstrated grit on the court that set him apart.

“Everybody wants the 6’5,” or the 6’6” guy,” he said, noting how anyone smaller is often overlooked.

“I live for competition,” Bradford said. “And being the smaller guy, I always had something to prove.”

He said he wants to help these players who have had great college careers keep going, support and feed their families, and do what they’re meant to do on the court.

"There was one candidate while considering coaches that checked all the boxes for us as someone we wanted on the court and in the community,” said Ed Battle, Cobras president.

He cited Bradford’s long history with the game in Connecticut, as well as his competitive spirit.

“He is also a very driven, intense competitor, but one that cares about his players and will work tirelessly to develop them as young men,” he said.

Current professionals and aspiring pros are invited to take part in the upcoming Player Combine on Sept. 18 at the Vale Sports Club in Middletown, where Bradford hopes to identify players to join his squad.

Asked what he was looking for for his team, Bradford said simply “winners,” but in particular those who understand it’s not about their personal glory but helping the team win.

“If you’re talented, you don’t have to go out of your way to shoot the ball every time,” he said.

If you’re out trying to do what’s best for the team, the glory will come.

For more information, visit www.connecticutcobras.com.