2016 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Buddy Hield
With the 2016 NBA Draft not too far away here’s a look at Buddy Hield’s scouting report.
Buddy Hield impressed a lot of scouts this past college season with his incredibly efficient outside shooting numbers and a willingness to take and make big shots at the end of games.
The 2016 NBA draft may not have a particularly deep field of elite prospects who could end up as stars at the next level, but Hield is an interesting prospect who’s game is built for where the league is going.
His measurements at the draft combine were exceptional as he measured in at 6’5″ in shoes. He’s essentially around the same size as Dwyane Wade, which should please detractors who thought he was a tad undersized for his position in the NBA.
Hield isn’t the most complete guard in the draft (Jamal Murray will give him a run for his money in that regard) but his percentages shooting the basketball are what any executive wants to see from an offensive specialist.
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He proved in college he has the ability to connect on shots from all over floor, and the fact that he shot so effectively at the rate he did is especially intriguing.
| MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35.4 | 8.1 | 16.2 | .501 | 4.0 | 8.7 | .457 | 4.8 | 5.4 | .880 | 25.0 |
| 31.7 | 5.9 | 13.2 | .448 | 2.6 | 6.8 | .390 | 2.8 | 3.4 | .836 | 17.4 |
Provided by Sports-Reference.com/CBB: View Original Table
Generated 5/17/2016.
Early on in his career Hield was known for erratic high-volume shooting and while he still asserted himself as Oklahoma’s primary option on offense, he at least converted a good number of his looks.
Hield got to the rim, created opportunities at the line and operated as an effective catch-and-shoot option from three-point range. The professional game wants scorers who can create for themselves and he has the tools to do so.
While he’s not the greatest defender, Hield competes on that end too and tries his hardest to stay in front of his man and remain viable. He’s no lockdown presence but there were certainly worse perimeter defenders who will end up drafted higher than what their evaluation says.
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Hield’s value is in scoring and whichever team drafts will do so knowing that. One question that remains, however, is just how much of his “leap” was attributed to his age and experience?
He did most of his damage as a senior, and while scouts and those close to the situation say he’s a tireless worker, was this just the case of a veteran doing what he’s supposed to in his fourth year of college basketball?
Hield did improve tremendously from where he was even a season ago, so it’s tough to completely remove that thought from our minds.
But this is a weaker draft than last year by all accounts, so teams will take a chance on Hield hoping he can recreate what he found in his last year of school.
I’m interested in seeing his shot selection in the NBA and how quickly he’s benched when old habits seep back into his game. Young players tend to rely on bad instincts when they’re backed into a corner, so how long will his head coach keep him in the game when he’s jacking up off-the-dribble threes over multiple defenders?
If he keeps himself in check and proves himself as a reliable shooter, then he has a spot in any rotation.
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But if he’s nothing more than a chucker at the next level, then he’s been highly overrated and those Wade comparisons look foolish to say the least.