Chavano Rainer "Buddy" Hield is a Bahamian basketball player who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers. Born on December 17, 1992, Hield is known for his elite 3-point shooting skills.
Hield's rise to NBA prominence commenced when he was selected sixth overall in 2016 by the New Orleans Pelicans. During his rookie season, Hield was traded to the Sacramento Kings as part of the blockbuster deal involving DeMarcus Cousins.
The early years in Sacramento were terrific for Hield as he earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2017. His reputation as a knockdown shooter began to solidify, particularly during the 2017/18 season when he boasted an impressive 43.1% from beyond the arc, ranking ninth in the NBA among qualified players.
Throughout his NBA career, Hield has become a fearsome catch-and-shoot specialist. His shooting skills were showcased on a grand stage when he won the 3-Point Contest at the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago. This victory solidified his elite status as one of the league's premier 3-point marksmen.
As fate would have it, Hield found himself at the center of yet another monumental trade when he was traded to the Indiana Pacers in early 2022. Since joining the Pacers, Hield has not only found a new home but also continued to light it up from beyond the arc. The 2022/23 season witnessed Hield making history by sinking 288 3-pointers, the most in Pacers history. He averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, with an impressive 42.5% from beyond the arc.
In February 2024, Hield was again traded, this time to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Buddy Hield College Stats
In his four-year college career, Buddy Hield averaged 17.4 points, 5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals with an impressive 39% from beyond the arc while taking 6.8 3-point shots per game.
Hield’s senior season was particularly spectacular. Averaging 25.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and leading the nation in 3-point shots, Hield won the prestigious John R. Wooden Award for the best college basketball player in the 2015/16 season.
A standout moment during his senior season arrived when Hield recorded a career-high 46 points in a triple-overtime loss to Kansas, earning a standing ovation from the opposing crowd.
Buddy Hield College
Buddy Hield played college ball at the University of Oklahoma from 2012 to 2016. During this time, he showcased a steady evolution that laid the foundation for his future success in the NBA.
In his freshman season, Hield was a raw talent as he only started 13 of 27 games. Though he demonstrated flashes of potential, scoring 7.8 points per game and earning the team's Most Inspirational Award.
The sophomore season was a turning point for Hield as he transitioned into a starter and showcased a growing mastery of the game. He was named to the second-team All-Big 12 selection due to his solid Averages of 16.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. The groundwork was laid down for what would become a trademark of his playing style.
Hield's 2014/15 junior year witnessed a transformative shift in his game. He decided to take inspiration from none other than Steph Curry. Around this time, Curry had started his dominance by embracing a high-volume 3-point shooting approach.
Hield also adopted this prolific 3-point shooting approach and decided to carry forward the shooting revolution Curry started. This season, averaging 17.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, Hield played a pivotal role in leading Oklahoma to a 24–11 record and a Sweet 16 berth in the NCAA tournament.
Despite the allure of entering the NBA Draft and potentially being a late first-round pick, Hield chose to stay one more year in college. The senior season at Oklahoma was amazing for Buddy Hield as he accumulated numerous accolades. He became the Naismith College Player of the Year, received the Oscar Robertson Trophy, won the Jerry West Award, and earned consensus first-team All-American honors. Hield's legacy at Oklahoma was solidified, leaving an indelible mark on the program's history.
How old was Buddy Hield when he was drafted?
Buddy Hield was drafted into the NBA at the age of 23. Born on December 17, 1992, Buddy was 23 years old when the NBA draft took place on June 23, 2016.
FAQs
A. Buddy Hield’s salary for the 2023/24 season is $18,568,183.
A. Born on December 17, 1992 in Freeport, Bahamas, Buddy Hield is 31 years old.
A. On February 8, 2024, Buddy Hield was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a three-team deal. In this trade deal, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Hield from the Indiana Pacers, who received Furkan Korkmaz from the Sixers, Doug McDermott from the San Antonio Spurs, a 2024 second-round pick from the Toronto Raptors, a 2029 second-round pick from the Portland Trail Blazers, and cash considerations, while the Spurs obtained Marcus Morris from the Sixers, a 2029 second-round pick from the LA Clippers, and cash considerations.
A. Buddy Hield played college basketball at University of Oklahoma.
A. Buddy Hield hails from the Bahamas.
A. In the 2022/23 season, Buddy Hield averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game throughout 80 games.
