Future Watch: Buddy Hield Basketball Rookie Cards, Pelicans – A 6′-4″, 214 lb, shooting guard, Buddy Hield was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. A native of the Bahamas, he was a four-year starter at the University of Oklahoma, a rarity in today’s game.
One of Hield’s greatest strengths is his shooting ability from beyond the arc. His ability to penetrate off the dribble and drive to the basket makes him difficult to defend. He’s also a capable defender with all-around skills that make him an NBA ready player. He has all the tools to quickly become a cornerstone of the Pelican’s offense and the charisma to be a face-of-the-franchise.
Hield’s list of awards and accolades at the collegiate level is nothing short of remarkable:
- John R. Wooden Award (2016)
- Naismith College Player of the Year (2016)
- Oscar Robertson Trophy (2016)
- Sporting News College Player of the Year (2016)
- Consensus first-team All-American (2016)
- Third-team All-American – AP, NABC (2015)
- Jerry West Award (2016)
- 2× Big 12 Player of the Year (2015, 2016)
- 2× First-team All-Big 12 (2015, 2016)
- Second-team All-Big 12 (2014)
Playing in a total of 132 college games, he put up per game averages of: 17.4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.3 steals while also shooting 88.3% from the charity stripe.
Described by many analysts as the “most NBA ready player” of the 2016 NBA Draft, his NBA Draft Profile states:
“He’s expected to be able to help an NBA team immediately and his perimeter shot is so accurate that CBS Sports posted a video describing Hield as “a flame-throwing rainmaker.” As NBA.com put it, “Hield will be one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft.” Hield, who scored 37 points vs. Oregon to vault Oklahoma into the Final Four, showed notable improvement in college based on his work ethic. “His shooting percentages improved dramatically,” SI.com assessed. “Half the players on the board here will be drafted on the assumption that they can improve some glaring weakness, but Buddy has shown he can actually do it.”
In pre-season NBA action, Hield is averaging 12.8 points, 4 rebounds and 10 assists per game.
Because of the playing time he should receive, Hield will be a strong contender for this year’s NBA Rookie of the Year award winner.
Buddy Hield NBA Player Profile
Future Watch: Buddy Hield Basketball Rookie Cards, Pelicans – The Cards
The NBA trading card season officially kicked-off October 12th, 2016 with the release of 2016-17 Hoops NBA Basketball from Panini America. The exclusive trading card manufacturer of the NBA, Panini America, also has a slate of collegiate products scheduled that will feature NBA rookies including Hield.
The first of these NCAA themed basketball sets debuts last week with the release of 2016-17 Contenders Draft Picks Basketball. This will be the first mainstream release to include autographs of Buddy Hield.
Hield is also featured in the 2016-17 Panini NBA Sticker Collection.
The remainder of the initial Panini America NBA trading card release schedule is currently as follows:
- 2016-17 Prizm Basketball – Wednesday, November 09, 2016
- 2016-17 Donruss Basketball – Wednesday, November 16, 2016
- 2016-17 Court Kings Basketball – Wednesday, November 23, 2016
- 2016-17 Panini Totally Certified Basketball – Wednesday, December 7th, 2016
Future Watch: Buddy Hield Basketball Rookie Cards, Pelicans – Image Gallery*
*Will be updated throughout the season
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