Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s the detailed profile of Steve Bardo:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Steven Eugene Bardo
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born April 5, 1968
  • Hometown: Moline, Illinois, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
  • Weight: 190 lbs (86 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 ft 6 in
  • Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
  • Number: #35, #20
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Point Guard
  • High School: Carbondale High School, Carbondale, Illinois
  • College: University of Illinois (1986–1990)
  • NBA Draft: Selected 41st overall (2nd round) in the 1990 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks
  • Teams Played For:
    • NBA:
      • Dallas Mavericks (1991–1992)
      • Detroit Pistons (1994–1995)
    • International:
      • Played in France, Italy, Japan, and Venezuela.
  • Championship Rings: No NBA Championships
  • Kids: Steve Bardo has two children, a son named Parker and a daughter named Drew.
  • Siblings: Information on siblings is not widely available.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Steve Bardo’s player archetype was that of a big playmaking guard, a steady backcourt organizer who blended lead-ballhandling duties with defensive versatility and all-around floor balance. Offensively, he operated more as a connector than a pure volume scorer, helping run the team, move possessions along, and create advantages with passing, decision-making, and composure from the guard spot. Defensively, his role leaned into point-of-attack resistance and multi-positional coverage, using his size for a guard and disciplined instincts to disrupt opposing perimeter players rather than overwhelm them with scoring. Physically, Bardo stood out for his strong guard frame and above-average size for a primary handler, traits that helped him rebound, defend, and see over pressure. Altogether, his play style was built on control, versatility, and two-way reliability, making him the kind of guard who could stabilize lineups, defend with purpose, and quietly influence the game without needing to dominate the shot count.

Sources:
Basketball-Reference — Steve Bardo Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
University of Illinois Athletics — News Briefs Archive
Sports Reference — Men’s Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year Winners
FOX Sports — Stephen Bardo Bio & Career Accomplishments