Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield on summer run with Bahamas: 'It's a feeling that you can't really explain'
Buddy Hield has been in the news often this summer for contractual reasons, but he had reasons to celebrate in August.
Hield played for the Bahamas, the country he was born in, during an Olympic pre-qualifying tournament during the offseason. The games took place in Argentina, and the home nation was widely expected to win the tournament.
But they didn't. They lost to the Bahamas during the competition twice — once during group play and then again in the finals. Both games were intense, and the arena was rooting hard for the Argentine squad.
"We're in small gyms, but the crowd is crazy... the environment is so unique," Hield said of the games. They also played in a few exhibitions in Puerto Rico against the University of Kansas.
Winning the event was one of the biggest moments — if not the biggest — in Bahamas basketball history. Hield, as well as fellow NBA players Deandre Ayton and Eric Gordon, pulled off a massive upset. Argentina is ranked seventh in the world among all countries in men's basketball, the Bahamas are 57th.
"The Bahamas national team was so fun... the experience, the camaraderie, and the feeling that you know how to play together and sacrifice," Hield said. He described the mentality of the team as being perfect. They were selfless and made the right plays.
By winning the tournament, the Bahamas qualified for the 2024 Olympic qualifying tournament, which will take place next summer. They are in a group of 24 teams, and if they finish in the top four, they will reach the Olympics. It would be the first time that's ever happened for the Bahamas.
"It's a feeling that you can't really explain," Hield said of winning the event. He said it wasn't about money or accolades — instead, it was about country pride.
In fact, the opposite was true financially. Hield, along with Ayton and Gordon, actually paid for some of the experience themself. They flew commercially, which Hield described as "a bi—." But there was more than that.
"A lot of stuff came out of pocket. Me or Eric Gordon or Deandre Ayton would take care of the guys. The meals, or we'd go out together as a group and we'd take care of that bill," Hield explained. He cared about the success of the program and his teammates.
"We know the guys in college and overseas, they don't want to spend all that money," the Pacers guard said on Thursday. "We understand what's at stake. That comes with being in the NBA... we're all family, we love each other. It's not a big deal."
To Hield, that made the victory more special. He, and the other NBA players on the roster, believed in the group. They wound up being able to pull off an unforgettable run. And it isn't over yet.
Hield has a chance to qualify for the Olympics next summer still, and Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton said earlier this week he would play for Team USA in the event — if asked. Those two were communicating over the summer and discussing international hoops.
Haliburton and Team USA finished fourth in the FIBA Basketball World Cup. They, unlike Hield's squad, fell short of expectations.
"Yes, it makes it more special because we all know it's a bond. I get my brother's back, he gets my back,"Hield said of his involvement with the Bahamas team. "No matter what the financial status is, we're all in this together for one country. That's the most important part about it."
The Pacers guard averaged 19.8 points per game in the competition, which was second among all players. He shot poorly from the field, especially for his standards, but made up for it by being a solid passer (3.3 assists per game, fifth among all participants). Hield and Indiana kick off preseason play in just two days when they take on the Grizzlies in Memphis.
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