Buddy Hield is a prolific 3-point shooting specialist who plays for the Indiana Pacers. Born on December 17, 1992, Hield’s NBA journey started from the coastal haven of Eight Mile Rock in the Bahamas.
Growing up in a family of seven children in the West Grand Bahama district, Hield displayed tremendous early basketball talent by leading his high school team to a championship victory. His knack for leadership and shooting prowess earned him recognition as an All-Bahamian Selection.
Hield’s performances were noticed by high school scouts as the next chapter of his journey unfolded at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, where he truly emerged as an elite shooter over four transformative years.
Hield then attended the University of Oklahoma for college, where he became even more popular. He played all four years in college and his senior season was 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.
In the 2016 NBA Draft, Hield was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans with the sixth overall pick. Throughout his next eight seasons in the NBA, Hield has consistently demonstrated his ability to shoot from beyond the arc, boasting an impressive 40.2% 3-point shooting average while attempting 7.7 three-pointers per game.
He is a franchise leader for the Indiana Pacers in 3-pointers made in a season and the second-fastest player in NBA history to reach 1,500 career three-pointers, trailing only the legendary Steph Curry.
Buddy Hield Trade
Buddy Hield was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers from the Indiana Pacers in February 2024. The complete trade is as follows -
Sixers receive:
- Buddy Hield from the Pacers.
Pacers receive:
- Furkan Korkmaz from the Sixers.
- Doug McDermott from the Spurs.
- 2024 second-round pick from the Raptors.
- 2029 second-round pick from the Blazers.
- Cash considerations from the Sixers.
Spurs receive:
- Marcus Morris from the Sixers.
- 2029 second-round pick from the LA Clippers.
- Cash considerations.
Buddy Hield Current NBA Stats
Buddy Hield is averaging 12.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.9 steals per game in 54 games, as of February 2024. So far this season, Hield is shooting 44.4% from the field, including 38.4.% from deep on 7.7 3-point attempts per game.
Hield mostly came off the bench for the Pacers during the 52 games that he played for them in the 2023/24 NBA season. However, the 76ers have deployed Hield as a starter.
Buddy Hield Position
Buddy Hield primarily plays as a shooting guard.
Hield epitomizes the quintessential role of a shooting guard by being a pure shooter on the court. Hield is not at all known for driving to the basket. His offensive repertoire predominantly revolves around shooting from beyond the arc or making well-executed mid-range jump shots.
However, Hield is showcasing his versatility with the Pacers as there have been instances when coach Rick Carlisle made Hield step into the role of a small forward. Whether stationed as a shooting guard or small forward, Buddy Hield remains a consistent and lethal threat with his unparalleled shooting abilities.
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. Meanwhile, the Spurs obtained Marcus Morris from the Sixers, a 2029 second-round pick from the LA Clippers, and cash considerations.
A. Buddy Hield serves as a shooting guard and small forward for the Philadelphia 76ers.
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.