Miles Bridges 'blessed' to be going to Charlotte Hornets, thanks Tom Izzo

Michigan State's Miles Bridges is heading to Charlotte. 

Bridges was selected No. 12 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers and traded to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night in the 2018 NBA draft. 

"It's just a blessing," Bridges said on ESPN. "I owe all the glory to God. A lot of thanks to my mom. I'm just blessed to be here." 

Bridges could have been a lottery pick in 2017, but opted out to return to Michigan State to chase his dream of winning a national championship. While that was not accomplished, Bridges was still able to be a lottery pick. 

Despite never working out with the Hornets, Bridges is happy to be headed to Charlotte. 

"I love the city of Charlotte," Bridges said. "I know a lot of guys there, so I think it will be great for me."

During his two-year career with the Spartans, Bridges averaged 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He was also a unanimous All-Big 10 selection his sophomore season. 

Bridges also praised coach Tom Izzo for helping him get to where he is today.

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"He pushed me every day," Bridges said. "He wanted me to be the best player I could be."

Bridges ran into a couple speed bumps last season, after his mother was linked to the FBI investigation that swept college basketball. But now a new journey begins for the Flint native, this time in Charlotte.

"He's really athletic above the rim," said ESPN's Jay Bilas. "He's a very good rebounder, especially for his size. He excelled at Michigan State at the four spot... He can get up over people. He might be the best dunker in this class."

Bridges brings a lot to the table for the Hornets. His ability to play as a guard and in the paint, makes him one of the more versatile players in the 2017 class. Bridges' elite offensive ability combined with his wide defensive skill set will make the Charlotte Hornets very happy. 

“Here’s a kid that obviously could’ve went pretty high in the draft last year, decided to stay and played a totally different role," said former Michigan State star Steve Smith on NBATV. "Played a lot of small forward, and I think this has helped him. Got a chance to work on his shot, it was improved. I haven’t seen a guy in college this young, Seth, go from a 64 percent, 65 percent free-throw shooter to close to 85. At one point, he was 89, 90 percent. He is a kid that’s a winner, that understands the game. Wherever he ends up, whether it’s the Clippers or somewhere else, he plays hard, he plays the right way, and I’m so happy for him because he stayed in school, even though his pick might even be lower than where he went last year, he got better."

Bridges joins Jaren Jackson Jr. as the second Michigan State player to be drafted Thursday night. Jackson was taken No. 4 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Free Press sports writer Orion Sang contributed.