Buddy Hield

The Evolution of Buddy Hield

Buddy Hield has, literally, come a long way in his basketball journey. Hailing from Freeport, Bahamas, he has always maintained that sweet jump shot, passion for the big moment, and charisma. Hield was recognized as the best Bahamian player as an eighth grader and would go on to have a decorated high school career. However, it was not until a 35-point outburst in a Kansas Adidas 64 Invitational with highly touted teammate Perry Ellis that gave Hield the recruiting buzz he needed. Josh Pastner of Memphis and Bill Self of Kansas were in attendance as they took notice of the Bahamian sharpshooter. Hield would go on to choose Oklahoma over Kansas to continue his basketball career.

Through the years at Oklahoma, Hield has always shown up in big games. His natural scoring ability made him the go to scorer as a freshman and over the years he has mastered new ways to put up points. Early on, Hield was a spot up shooter and had a flare for getting into the open court for runaway dunks and lay ups. Now, Hield can put the ball on the deck and get to the rim as well as shoot off the dribble. His length allows him to rebound better than a player at 6'4. Hield has never been the primary playmaker for the Sooners, as he has never averaged more than 2.1 assists in his career. Jordan Woodard has always been the one to allow him to play off the ball as well as Isaiah Cousins. After a stellar junior season, many believed Hield was destined for the NBA as a potential first round selection. He was a third team All-American, first team All-Big 12 player, and the Big 12 Player of the Year. In addition, Hield navigated Boomer Sooner nation to a surprise Sweet 16 appearance. There was more risk than reward for the spunky shooting guard to return to OU right? Wrong. Hield stayed true to a promise he made as a true freshman.

When he first stepped foot on campus, Hield vowed to do everything in his power to make sure he took Oklahoma to a Final Four. Also, he came back for another year because he never beat Kansas in the Phog Allen Fieldhouse. Hield came up short in early January in a three-overtime thriller against Kansas. Hield finished with 46 points in a valiant effort in which he received a standing ovation from the Kansas faithful. Throughout the year, he has shown great improvement in his all around game. Hield used to force shots and not trust his teammates earlier in his career. He has realized he cannot win games alone and has let his teammates ease his workload. Hield has even improved as an on ball defender this season. The killer instinct and high motor he has developed in the last two years is what truly separates him from any other player in America. This has scouts clamoring for the opportunity to watch him live and have the opportunity to draft him this offseason.

The Sooners run to the Final Four has been tremendous and appealing to the average spectator. The biggest difference between this year's bunch and last year's is mental toughness and finishing games. The senior guard demonstrates those qualities in his own game. Whether it is against a gritty Hawaii team on the road in mid December, big 12 foes West Virginia and Iowa State, or a battle tested Virginia Commonwealth team that held him in check in the first half, Hield has adapted and silenced critics as well as opponents. That is how Oklahoma has made it all the way to the Final Four and perhaps on the cusp of a national championship.

Hield has certainly had a decorated career at Oklahoma and could go down as one of the best NCAA players of all time. He has been exciting to watch since his first game as a Sooner. Hield has morphed himself into a dynamic two-way player with the composure to take over big games in front of NBA scouts and his idol Kobe Bryant. The talent has always been there for him as well as the NBA future, but his drive and commitment to excellence has propelled him to stardom and into the top 10 as a future NBA lottery selection.