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2016 NBA Draft: Who Stood Out on Day 2 of NCAA Tournament?

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) reacts in the second half against the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) reacts in the second half against the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) controls the ball against Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners forward Jaylin Airington (11) in the second half during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) controls the ball against Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners forward Jaylin Airington (11) in the second half during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Buddy Hield, Oklahoma Sooners

Opponent: CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (15)

Result: 84-72, W

Stat Line: 39 minutes, 27 points, 5 rebounds, 1 offensive rebound, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals, 8/14 FG, 3/6 3PT, 8/9 FT

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 22 (12/17/1993)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4.5″, 215 pounds, 6’8.5″

Analysis

Oklahoma Sooners shooting guard Buddy Hield is coming along at the perfect time. 3-point shooters used to be regarded as specialists—a nice way of saying they’ll be generally excluded from strategical areas other than their key strength—but a select few have emerged as stars.

In an era that’s seen Kyle Korver become an All-Star, Hield is making a very compelling case for being a Top 10 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Already favored to win National Player of the Year, Hield led the Sooners to a tough 82-68 win over the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners in the Round of 64. Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard played well, but it was Hield who stepped up down the stretch.

The college superstar erupted for 27 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field with five rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a pair of steals to complement his scoring.

Hield made three 3-point field goals on six attempts, but the strength of his outing was found in his versatility. He created penetration, got to the free throw line with ease, and stepped up with a timely 3-point field goal whenever Oklahoma seemed to need it.

This isn’t the NBA of old, folks; Korver’s All-Star Game appearance and Klay Thompson‘s emergence as an All-NBA shooting guard suggest the 3-point shot can be the foundation for stardom.

Next: Returning to Prominence

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