Draft Profile: Buddy Hield

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Even if you hardly tuned into college basketball this past season, chances are you’ve heard the name Buddy Hield. The sharpshooting guard was the second-leading scorer in the nation (25.0 points per game) and guided Oklahoma to its fifth Final Four appearance in program history. He shone brightest while playing in the national spotlight, such as when he dropped 46 points on No. 1 Kansas in January, and when he tallied 37 points to knock 1-seed Oregon out of the NCAA Tournament. Hield dazzled with his 3-point shooting this season as he hit 147 of his 322 long-range attempts. It marked the third-most 3-point makes in NCAA history, trailing only reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry (162 in 2008) and Akeem Richmond (155 in 2014).

Possessions Scouted from 2015-16 Season:
OFFENSE: 17.1 percent of possessions
DEFENSE: 20.3 percent of possessions

Buddy Hield is a marksman. He is an outstanding shooter from everywhere on the court. His range is unlimited, he has a quick release, and he strokes shots off the move, off spot ups and off isolations. That’s why he had the ultimate green light at Oklahoma and excelled from long range and the midrange. His go-to move is the step-back. Hield regularly makes shots while drifting or fading, which is the sign of a true marksman. He’s fearless and enjoys the moment. He lacks elite quickness and athleticism, and as a result, he rarely creates for others or gets to the basket. He can, however, create space for himself. Hield uses screens well and will only become better at this during his time in the NBA. He will be a fantastic shooting threat to have on the court but won’t be a star, a la Kyle Korver. Hield is a good rebounder for his size, a guy who reads shots well and attacks loose balls. He has the ability to be a reliable defender. He has quick feet and mirrors offensive players well, all while showcasing accurate hand swipes. However, his effort is inconsistent and he oftentimes roams aimlessly around the court. He must improve his communication and concentration skills and learn not to bite on shot fake he sees. These are all correctable issues.

Chavano Rainier “Buddy” Hield was born on Dec. 17, 1993 in Freeport, Bahamas to Richard Bryanen and Jackie Swann. His mother gave him the nickname “Buddy” after Bud Bundy from the TV sitcom “Married… with Children.” Growing up, Hield was regarded as one of the top Bahamian basketball players of his age group, and was recruited to play prep ball for Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas. During his junior season, he led his high school to the National Association of Christian Athletes national championship and earned MVP honors. The next season, he averaged 22.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game, though he was still not regarded as one of the top recruits in the nation. He was ranked 68th on the Rivals 150, was unranked on the ESPN 100, and Scout game him just a two-star rating. However, it didn’t take him long to prove those rankings wrong and establish himself as one of the top collegiate talents in the nation. During his freshman season at the University of Oklahoma, Hield played in 27 contests (starting 17 of them) and averaged 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He was, however, hindered by a broken bone in his right foot that he suffered in February 2013. Hield became more of a scoring threat during his sophomore campaign, when he averaged 16.5 PPG to go along with 4.4 RPG. He also hit 90 3-pointers – nearly five times his freshman total – and increased his 3-point percentage from 23.8 percent to 38.6 percent. The following season, he upped his scoring and rebounding averages to 17.4 PPG and 5.4 RPG, respectively, and was named Big 12 Player of the Year. That paved way for an explosive senior season, during which Hield averaged 25.0 PPG – the second-most in the nation – to go along with 5.7 RPG and a 47.7 percent shooting clip from beyond the arc. He made 147 3-pointers, which was 22 more than anyone else in the country, and the third-highest single-season total in NCAA history. Hield had 12 games in which he scored 30-plus points, and also hit at least five 3-pointers on 14 occasions separate occasions. His most impressive outing of the season occurred on Jan. 4 when the No. 2-ranked Sooners visited No. 1 Kansas. He notched a career-high 46 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and shot 8-for-15 from 3-point range, though Oklahoma fell, 109-106, in triple-overtime. Hield also played outstandingly during the NCAA Tournament, leading the Sooners to the Final Four while averaging 25.2 PPG and 6.6 RPG. During the Elite 8, he scored 37 points on 13-of-20 shooting from the field, including 8-for-13 from beyond the arc, guiding Oklahoma to a 80-68 win over 1-seed Oregon. Hield’s stellar campaign earned him his second consecutive Big 12 Player of the Year nod, and ultimately, he was named consensus National Player of the Year.