By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 16, 2024 – Bahamas Prime Minister Philip E. Davis today announced the appointment of Bahamian professional basketball player Chavano “Buddy” Hield as Bahamas Ambassador-at-Large for Sports and Cultural Advancement, “celebrating his extraordinary journey from Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama, to the NBA and his unwavering commitment to uplifting our nation’s youth and fellow countrymen.”
Declaring that today “we celebrate not just an athlete, but a leader who embodies the best of The Bahamas,” the Office of the Prime Minister stated on its Facebook page, “His inspiring leadership, showcased through leading basketball camps and championing community initiatives through The Buddy Hield Foundation, epitomizes Bahamian excellence. Across millions of screens, Buddy’s national pride shines brightly, reminding us of the boundless potential within our shores.”
Meanwhile, on his personal Facebook page, Prime Minister Davis stated, “Buddy, you have been an ambassador for The Bahamas long before today, draped in the Bahamian colours on and off the court, embodying our values, resilience, and hope. As you officially take on this role, know that you carry with you the pride, love, and support of your Bahamian family. We are confident that you will continue to represent our beautiful archipelago with the same grace, dedication, and excellence that you have always shown.”
The Prime Minister added, “So, to the young people of The Bahamas, let Buddy’s journey inspire you. Dream big, work tirelessly, and remember that your gifts, combined with dedication and a commitment to your community, can indeed make room for you in the world. And to Buddy, thank you. Thank you for being a shining example of what it means to be truly great, both on and off the court.”
Buddy Hield, who initially honed his basketball skills in The Bahamas, currently is among the most prolific scorers in NBA history. He grew up in Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama, and demonstrated his ability to lead his team from a young age by taking Freeport’s Jack Hayward High School basketball team to the championship of the Providence Holiday tournament.
Based on his performances in The Bahamas, Hield was recruited to attend Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, a basketball prep school in a suburb of Wichita, Kansas. Former Wichita State assistant and then-Sunrise coach Kyle Lindsted recruited the 6-foot 4-inch guard. During Hield’s junior year at Sunrise Christian in 2011, he led the team to the National Association of Christian Athletes national championship and was named the MVP of the tourney. In the 2011-2012 season, his senior year, Hield averaged 22.7 points on .491 shooting in 21.0 minutes per game.
He was highly recruited by colleges and selected the Oklahoma Sooners over the Kansas Jayhawks.
During his outstanding college career, in 2015 and 2016, he was named the Big 12 Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. Moreover, he won four major national players of the year awards in 2016: Sporting News Player of the Year, the John R. Wooden Award, Naismith Award, and Oscar Robertson Trophy.
The New Orleans Pelicans selected Hield with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, and he was traded to the Sacramento Kings in 2017. In 2022, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers. On February 8, 2024, Hield was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a three-team deal involving the San Antonio Spurs.
On February 9, Hield made his 76ers debut, putting up 20 points and six assists in a 127–121 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
