Bahamian basketball star Buddy Hield said that serving as an inspiration for young Bahamians coming up is paramount to him and he will try facilitate this as best as possible.
At a press briefing held yesterday at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, Hield stressed the importance of giving back to the Bahamian community.
“Kids in The Bahamas really lack exposure, there is a lot of raw talent over here but we don’t have enough high level skilled trainers.
“That’s why at my camp I want to bring the trainers that trained me in the states, we have good trainers over here but Americans are ten steps ahead of us, we have to catch up.
“When I went over there I had to put in extra work to become the player I am today.
“We have a lot of raw talent over here but we just need to develop our skills,” Mr. Hield said
Hield added that he is very proud of his Bahamian roots and puts it on display every opportunity that he gets.
“Everywhere I go I always say 242 to the world, every time I post on social media I post with that hash tag.
“Even when I’m travelling whether I’m in Los Angeles, Las Vegas or New Orleans, everybody is saying 242 to the world.
“It sounds weird hearing them say it but that’s my brand I let them know that the Bahamas is where I’m from.
“I always share the story of me being from The Bahamas and how it is so fun and we have all these beautiful resources and when they hear this it makes them want to come.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Daniel Johnson added that Hield’s personality garners much is much more attention and praise around the world than his actual skill.
“This is an amazing young man because when you hear people talk about him they don’t talk about basketball they talk about his character.
“His coaches, mentors they all say this young man has a special character and he’s from this special place,” Dr. Johnson said.
The Eight Mile Rock native captured numerous individual awards, inclusive of the Wooden Award solidifying him as the top player in college basketball.
Followed by him being drafted sixth overall in this year’s NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans and then winning the ESPY award for top collegiate male athlete.
Hield has numerous events lined up this week inclusive of a Sports Legends ceremony tonight where Hield would be honored at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium, then a Fund Raising Event at Sapodilla Restaurant.
The events will be concluded by the inaugural Buddy Hield Youth Clinic at Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium Saturday, July 23 at 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
