Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Buddy Hield

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Buddy Hield made an impact.

Buddy Hield is a Bahamian professional basketball player currently playing for the Golden State Warriors in the NBA. He achieved significant recognition in college while playing for the Oklahoma Sooners, earning the Big 12 Player of the Year award twice and sweeping major national player of the year awards in 2016. Hield was drafted sixth overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016. Since entering the NBA, he has played for the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, and Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to the Golden State Warriors in July 2024.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2015: All-Big 12 Selection and Player of the Year

In 2015, Buddy Hield was named First Team All-Big 12 selection and Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year while at Oklahoma.

2015: Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year

In 2015, Buddy Hield was named the Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year while playing college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners.

January 4, 2016: Career-High 46 Points vs Kansas

On January 4, 2016, Buddy Hield recorded a career-high of 46 points in a triple overtime loss to Kansas. He received a standing ovation and tied the record for most points scored by an opponent at Allen Fieldhouse.

June 23, 2016: Selected by New Orleans Pelicans in NBA Draft

On June 23, 2016, Buddy Hield was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft.

2016: National Player of the Year Awards

In 2016, Buddy Hield received four major national player of the year awards, including the John R. Wooden Award, the Naismith Award, Sporting News Player of the Year, and the Oscar Robertson Trophy.

February 20, 2017: Traded to the Sacramento Kings

On February 20, 2017, Buddy Hield was traded to the Sacramento Kings along with Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and draft picks for DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi.

November 25, 2017: Season-High 27 Points

On November 25, 2017, Buddy Hield scored a season-high 27 points off the bench with a career-high seven three-pointers in a narrow loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

2017: Trade to Sacramento Kings

In 2017, Buddy Hield was traded to the Sacramento Kings for DeMarcus Cousins.

December 2018: Seven-Game Streak with 20+ Points

In December 2018, Buddy Hield had a seven-game streak with 20 points or more.

January 5, 2019: 32 Points and Eight Three-Pointers vs Warriors

On January 5, 2019, Buddy Hield scored 32 points and had a career-high eight three-pointers in a loss to the Warriors.

October 21, 2019: Signs Four-Year Contract Extension

On October 21, 2019, Buddy Hield signed a four-year contract extension.

January 27, 2020: Career-High 42 Points and Kobe Bryant Dedication

On January 27, 2020, Buddy Hield scored a career-high 42 points in an overtime victory against the Timberwolves, dedicating the game to Kobe Bryant.

December 23, 2020: Game-Winning Buzzer-Beater

On December 23, 2020, Buddy Hield recorded 22 points and a game-winning, buzzer-beating tip-in in an overtime win against the Denver Nuggets.

July 29, 2021: Proposed Trade to Lakers Falls Through

On July 29, 2021, a proposed trade sending Buddy Hield to the Los Angeles Lakers fell through when the Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook instead.

February 8, 2022: Traded to Indiana Pacers

On February 8, 2022, Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton, and Tristan Thompson were traded to the Indiana Pacers.

2022: Trade to Indiana Pacers

In 2022, Buddy Hield was traded to the Indiana Pacers in a package for Domantas Sabonis.

January 11, 2023: New Season-High 31 Points

On January 11, 2023, Buddy Hield posted a new season-high of 31 points, eight rebounds, and 7-of-15 three-point shooting in a loss to the New York Knicks.

2023: Second-round draft pick

In February 8, 2022, Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton, and Tristan Thompson were traded to the Indiana Pacers, which also involved a 2023 second-round pick.