Buddy Hield made his biggest jump in 2010. Then a rising high school junior, Hield left his homeland of the Bahamas for new basketball life on the prairies of Wichita, Kansas. At Sunrise Christian Academy, Hield earned a scholarship to Oklahoma. After four years with the Sooners, Hield punched a ticket to New Orleans on Thursday as the Pelicans selected No. 6 overall.
Hield brings the Bahamas wherever he goes -- including the inside of his draft suit, which had a flag sewn to the lining and "Buddy Buckets" written on it.
Buddy Buckets showing love to the Bahamas #PelicansDraft pic.twitter.com/PfQzDZ0Dt7
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) June 24, 2016
Bahamas flag sewn inside of @Buddyhield’s white tux jacket by JF J. Ferrar. #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/cxOLdyUETp
— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) June 24, 2016
.@buddyhield flashing the "Buddy Buckets" Bahamas flag jacket accessory. pic.twitter.com/Nd7CTKgbov
— Joe DuVall (@joeduvall) June 24, 2016
Members of the Bahamas National basketball team celebrate in Panama as #buddyhield gets drafted. @espn pic.twitter.com/BRYnma6LXg
— 10th Year Seniors (@10thyrSeniors) June 24, 2016
Apparently, it is a J.C. Penney suit:
Thank you @jcpenney for helping me bring my roots along with me to the #NBADraft tonight! #Bahamas https://t.co/nUD1Q1KA5j
— Buddy Love !!!! (@buddyhield) June 24, 2016
The Twitter account for the Bahamas paid tribute to its native son:
Congratulations to our very own @buddyhield #BuddyWeGern to Nawlins! pic.twitter.com/fLBAcoFocq
— The Bahamas (@VisitTheBahamas) June 24, 2016
More NBA:
-- Photos Of J.R. Smith's Legendary Cavs Victory Parade Performance
-- When Michael Jordan Shut Down Tracy McGrady-Scottie Pippen Trade
-- Why Derrick Rose Trade Is Good For New York (And Sad For Chicago)
Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.
