Chavano Rainer “Buddy” Hield is a Bahamian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans and has established himself as one of the league’s premier three-point shooters throughout his career with multiple teams including the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Golden State Warriors.
Buddy Hield Bio
Born on December 17, 1992, in Freeport, Bahamas, Chavano Rainer Hield grew up in Eight Mile Rock, a coastal region west of Freeport in the West Grand Bahama district. He was the fifth of seven children raised by his mother Jackie Braynen. His nickname “Buddy” was given by his mother after Bud Bundy from the television sitcom Married… with Children. Hield attended Jack Hayward High School in Freeport, where he first gained recognition as a basketball player. As an eighth-grader, he was rated by The All Bahamian Brand magazine as the best eighth-grader in the Bahamas and one to watch. He led his Jack Hayward basketball team to championship victories in the Providence Holiday Tournament and Grand Bahamas High School Championships, earning All Bahamian Brand All Bahamian Selection honors. His performances in the Bahamas led to recruitment to Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, a prominent basketball prep school. During his junior year at Sunrise Christian in 2011, Hield led the team to the National Association of Christian Athletes national championship and earned MVP honors of the tournament.
Path to Professional Basketball
Hield was highly recruited coming out of high school and ultimately chose to play college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners over the Kansas Jayhawks. As a freshman at Oklahoma, he scored 7.8 points per game and received the team’s Most Inspirational Award. He improved significantly as a sophomore, averaging 16.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game while earning second-team All-Big 12 selection. Hield worked diligently on his defense and expanded his offensive game before his junior year, transforming into a high-volume three-point shooter. He averaged 17.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a junior and led Oklahoma to a 24-11 record and a Sweet 16 berth in the NCAA Tournament. Despite being a potential 2015 NBA Draft selection, Hield made the decision to return for his senior season. He was named Big 12 Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year and first-team All-Big 12. During his senior year, Hield scored a career-high 46 points in a triple overtime loss to Kansas on January 4, 2016, a performance that earned him a standing ovation from the opposing crowd. His 46 points tied the record for most points scored by an opponent at Allen Fieldhouse.
Buddy Hield Career
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2016-2017)
On June 23, 2016, Hield was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He signed his rookie contract on July 22 and quickly began making an impact. On December 15, 2016, Hield recorded his best performance as a Pelican with 21 points and five three-pointers in a 102-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers. On January 3, 2017, he was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for December, recognizing his strong start to his professional career.
Sacramento Kings Era (2017-2022)
On February 20, 2017, Hield was traded to the Sacramento Kings along with Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and draft picks in exchange for DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi. He made his Kings debut three days later, scoring 16 points off the bench in a 116-100 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Hield was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for March and ended the season by setting a new career high with 30 points in a 129-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns. His strong rookie campaign earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. During the 2017-18 season, Hield shot 43.1 percent from three-point range, ranking ninth in the NBA among qualified players. He scored a season-high 27 points with a career-high seven three-pointers against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 25, 2017.
In December 2018, Hield had a seven-game streak with 20 or more points. On January 5, 2019, he scored 32 points with a career-high eight three-pointers in a loss to the Warriors. On March 23, 2019, he broke the franchise season record for three-pointers with 245, surpassing Peja Stojakovic’s mark of 240 set in 2003-04. In April 2019, Hield broke Damian Lillard’s NBA record for most three-pointers made in a player’s first three seasons. On October 21, 2019, Hield signed a four-year, $94 million contract extension with Sacramento. On January 27, 2020, he scored a career-high 42 points in an overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, dedicating the performance to Kobe Bryant who had died the day prior. On February 15, 2020, Hield won the NBA Three-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend in Chicago, defeating Devin Booker 27-26 in the final round.
On December 23, 2020, Hield made a game-winning buzzer-beating tip-in for a 124-122 overtime victory against the Denver Nuggets. On February 28, 2021, he became the fastest player in NBA history to make 1,000 three-pointers, accomplishing the feat in just 350 games. During the 2021-22 season, trade discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers fell through when the Lakers pursued Russell Westbrook instead.
Indiana Pacers Era (2022-2024)
On February 8, 2022, Hield was traded to the Indiana Pacers along with Tyrese Haliburton and Tristan Thompson in exchange for Domantas Sabonis and other assets. Three days later, he made his Pacers debut with a near triple-double of 16 points, eight assists, and nine rebounds against the Cleveland Cavaliers. On February 15, 2022, Hield scored a season-high 36 points on 8-of-12 three-point shooting in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. During the 2022-23 season, Hield became the second-fastest player in NBA history to reach 1,500 career three-pointers, trailing only Stephen Curry. He also scored the fastest field goal recorded in NBA history since the 1996-97 season, hitting a three-pointer just three seconds into a game against the Cavaliers and surpassing Hall of Famer Reggie Miller’s record. On February 15, 2023, Hield made his 230th three-pointer of the season, surpassing Reggie Miller for the most three-pointers made in a season in Pacers history. He and All-Star teammate Tyrese Haliburton were selected to participate in the 2023 NBA Three-Point Contest, where both lost in the finals to Damian Lillard.
Philadelphia 76ers (2024)
On February 8, 2024, Hield was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a three-team deal. The next day, he made his 76ers debut with 20 points and six assists in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Hield played in a league-high 84 games during the 2023-24 season, averaging 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.
Golden State Warriors Era (2024-2026)
On July 6, 2024, Hield signed a four-year, $37.8 million contract with the Golden State Warriors via a six-team sign-and-trade, the NBA’s first six-team transaction. He made his Warriors debut on October 23, 2024, scoring 22 points with five three-pointers in 15 minutes off the bench in a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Two days later, he scored 27 points with seven three-pointers against the Utah Jazz. Hield made 12 three-pointers across his first two games with the Warriors, setting an NBA record for the most three-pointers made by a player in his first two games with a team. He played in all 82 games during the 2024-25 NBA season, posting averages of 11.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. During the 2025 playoffs, Hield delivered a legendary performance in Game 7 against the Houston Rockets on May 4, scoring 33 points with nine three-pointers made in a 103-89 victory to eliminate Houston in the first round. His nine three-pointers tied Donte DiVincenzo’s record for the most made three-pointers in a playoff Game 7. During the 2025-26 season, Hield made 44 appearances including three starts, averaging 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
Atlanta Hawks (2026-Present)
On February 5, 2026, Hield was traded to the Atlanta Hawks along with Jonathan Kuminga in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis, joining the team for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hield has established himself as one of the most prolific three-point shooters in NBA history. His quick release and range extend well beyond the arc, allowing him to score efficiently in catch-and-shoot situations and off movement. His ability to space the floor has made him a valuable asset for every team he has played for. Hield’s shooting prowess is complemented by his ability to create his own shot off the dribble, making him a versatile scoring threat. His basketball IQ and experience developed over multiple seasons have allowed him to become a reliable performer in high-pressure situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Hield has accumulated numerous notable achievements and records. He won the NBA Three-Point Contest twice (2020 and 2024), demonstrating his elite shooting ability. He became the fastest player in NBA history to reach 1,000 career three-pointers in just 350 games. Hield set the Pacers franchise record for most three-pointers in a season with 230 during the 2022-23 campaign. He broke Damian Lillard’s NBA record for most three-pointers made in a player’s first three seasons. His Game 7 performance against the Houston Rockets in the 2025 playoffs, scoring 33 points with nine three-pointers, stands as one of the defining moments of his career.
Buddy Hield Career Wins
Hield has built an impressive career with multiple playoff appearances and memorable performances across eight seasons in the NBA. His shooting ability has translated to success at every level of competition.
NBA Highlights
Hield has won the NBA Three-Point Contest twice, capturing the championship in 2020 with the Sacramento Kings and again in 2024 with the Philadelphia 76ers. His college career at Oklahoma was highlighted by winning the John R. Wooden Award in 2016 as the nation’s top college player. He was named NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2017 following his rookie season. Hield’s shooting consistency has been remarkable, ranking among the league leaders in three-point percentage multiple times throughout his career. His Game 7 heroics with the Golden State Warriors in the 2025 playoffs cemented his reputation as a clutch performer when it matters most.
College and International Achievements
During his time at Oklahoma, Hield won the Jerry West Award as the nation’s top shooting guard in 2016. He was named Big 12 Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year in both 2015 and 2016, becoming a consensus first-team All-American. In 2016, he received four major national player of the year awards: the John R. Wooden Award, the Naismith Award, Sporting News Player of the Year, and the Oscar Robertson Trophy. Internationally, Hield represented the Bahamas at the 2014 Centrobasket tournament, averaging a tournament-leading 19.8 points per game and a team-high 6.0 rebounds while helping his country compete in the regional championship.
Buddy Hield Family
Family Background
Hield grew up in Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama, as the fifth of seven children raised by his mother Jackie Braynen. His upbringing in the Bahamas shaped his character and work ethic, attributes that have driven his basketball career. The family environment fostered his competitive spirit from an early age.
Personal Life
Hield welcomed his first child, a daughter, in 2017. Off the court, Hield has shown tremendous dedication to helping his home country. After Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas in September 2019, Hield donated $105,000 to the Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund and created a GoFundMe page that raised an additional $1 million to help families affected by the devastating storm. His philanthropy demonstrates his commitment to giving back to the community that raised him. Hield serves as Bahamian Ambassador-at-Large for Sports and Cultural Development, a position established by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis to help promote Bahamian athletics and culture internationally.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NBA season marked a significant chapter in Hield’s career as he served as a key contributor off the bench for the Golden State Warriors. He appeared in all 82 regular season games, demonstrating his durability and reliability throughout the long season. Hield averaged 11.1 points per game while maintaining his reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous three-point threats. His ability to space the floor and knock down shots from beyond the arc made him a valuable piece in the Warriors’ rotation. The Warriors qualified for the playoffs with Hield playing a crucial role in their success. During the first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, Hield delivered a legendary Game 7 performance, scoring 33 points with nine three-pointers in a 103-89 victory that eliminated Houston. His nine three-pointers tied the Warriors franchise record for a playoff Game 7. Hield’s clutch performance in the biggest moments of the playoffs showcased his ability to elevate his game when the stakes were highest. His contributions helped the Warriors advance deeper into the postseason, further solidifying his reputation as a proven winner and clutch performer who can be counted on in pressure situations.