The summer has been good to Avery Bradley.

Just a few weeks ago the Bellarmine Prep standout found himself playing ball in Brazil on Nike’s dime. Not bad. This video from the Nike Global Challenge has been circulating around the Internet, growing his legend.

Avery Bradley welcomes Uros Lukovic to the USA

Now, with the summer hoops season drawing to a close, Bradley can look back and see that all the time spent playing ball in gyms, across the country and oceans, has paid off. More than any other player in the county, Bradley has climbed the rankings. He went from No. 49 in the ESPNU rankings to No. 15, one slot behind Bellarmine Prep teammate Abdul Gaddy.

What is the reason for Bradley’s sky-rocketing stock? He plays defense. Excellent defense.

Here’s a scout’s take: “Bradley is making a case for No. 1 player in the west and top ten overall in the country. What separates him from most prospects around the country is his effort at both ends of the court. He is arguably the best 2-guard defender in the country as he slides his feet as well as anybody and he’s extremely bouncy.”