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Buddy Hield energizes the Warriors and celebrates his Bahamian heritage with pride

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Buddy Hield energizes the Warriors and celebrates his Bahamian heritage with pride

SAN FRANCISCO — Buddy Hield brings a lively spirit to the Golden State Warriors, often seen engaging in playful banter with Stephen Curry that leaves teammates in stitches. Since joining the team last summer, Hield has showcased a remarkable dedication to training that has not gone unnoticed. Curry remarked, “He probably puts more hours in the gym than I think I’ve ever seen anybody.”

The two-time NBA MVP appreciates Hield’s high-energy demeanor and commitment to the game, complemented by his infectious love for basketball. Hailing from Freeport in the Bahamas, the 32-year-old shooting guard is proud to represent his home country on the grand NBA stage. “It’s special,” Hield expressed. “It’s not by chance. I’ve put the work in, for sure. I’m just blessed and honored to be in this position.”

Currently averaging 12.6 points per game and shooting nearly 43% from the floor, Hield’s impact extends beyond his contributions on the scoreboard. He has a way of lighting up any room he enters, greeting his teammates with his signature grin, which aligns with coach Steve Kerr’s vision of the positive atmosphere within the Warriors locker room. “There is nothing even-keel about him; he is all extreme happy, joy, talking all the time,” Curry said, adding that Hield’s energy elevates everyone’s spirits.

His teammates often refer to him with playful nicknames like Buddy Love, Buddy Fresh, and Buddy Buckets, a testament to his enduring identity since birth when he was named Chavano. Hield recently became the 17th player in NBA history to hit 2,000 three-pointers, demonstrating how his athleticism revs up the team’s offense as he excels at running the court.

“I’ve just got to keep moving and hopefully I’m able to catch some of the greats,” Hield remarked. “I probably won’t be able to catch Steph, but I hope to catch some of the greats and hopefully I can crack top-10, maybe top-five.” This aspiration aligns well with Kerr’s strategy for the Warriors. “We’re at our best when we’re playing fast and with a lot of pace, and that’s what Buddy does really well,” Kerr noted, highlighting Hield’s agility during transitions.

Despite the Warriors facing some difficulty with their recent performance, losing three of their last ten games, Hield maintains a positive outlook. His journey, starting from shooting hoops on a makeshift court built with a milk crate in the Bahamas, through leading Oklahoma to a Final Four, and now composing his ninth NBA season with a fifth team, has been remarkable.

“Where I came from in the Bahamas, I couldn’t write a better script than this,” Hield reflected. “To have 2,000 3s, I know the young kids back home and the people that helped me get to this point will really appreciate that. So I’m just blessed to be in this situation.”

Hield joined the Warriors following Klay Thompson’s move to Dallas, an event Thompson described as “very special.” “I’m just happy they replaced me with another Bahamian,” he stated. Thompson understands the importance of Hield’s role in inspiring the youth back home and in contributing to national basketball initiatives. “He’s a legend, especially around Freeport. Buddy gives young men and women hope all over the nation,” Thompson emphasized.

While Hield’s shooting consistency may fluctuate, his overall contribution remains steadfast both on and off the court. “He lifts this team every day when he comes in smiling,” noted guard Gary Payton II. “That smile travels all the way back to the Bahamas, where kids share in that positivity. … He’s got a Steph effect over there in the islands. They’re shouting Buddy. We know what he means to this team and what he means to the Bahamas.”