Guardian Sports Reporter
It has been another active summer for National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran Chavano “Buddy” Hield and the Buddy Hield Foundation.
The Grand Bahamian jump-started this summer’s initiatives with a successful basketball camp in Exuma in June, followed by the Buddy Buckets Bahamas Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team gaining experience while playing in the United States of America (USA).
This week, the foundation shifted its focus to local coaches in New Providence, with a three-day clinic hosted at A.F. Adderley Gymnasium.
The coaches’ clinic has emphasized player development, along with offensive and defensive team drills, over the first two days.
The Golden State Warriors (GSW) shooting guard emphasized the importance of giving back at his level.
“It is important because it’s giving back to the kids, the community and coaching to grow the game of basketball in The Bahamas,” he said.
“I am just happy that we are blessed and fortunate to come back and share some educational thoughts on how I can better basketball in The Bahamas. ... If we can further that and go beyond and beyond, you see like V.J., Kai and Deandre making progress, so hopefully we can find another diamond to put The Bahamas on the map.”
Earlier this month, Hield returned to his hometown of Grand Bahama to give back to kids in his community through his annual basketball camp and a back-to-school giveaway.
Hundreds of kids walked away with new school supplies for the upcoming semester.
Additionally, coaches were provided with the knowledge needed to develop the next generation of Bahamian basketball players during a two-day clinic.
“I think we have a lot of raw talent and raw athletes,” Hield said.
“I feel like we are not seasoned right, and it starts from the coaching and what we have been taught. If I had been taught the right things in my career, not saying that the coaching was wrong, it would help me to be a better basketball player. By the time as I get to the states, I do not have to be two to three years behind.”
Hield added: “Mentally and physically, I would be in good shape and could be two years ahead. It is just getting them prepared earlier so they do not have to go through all of this stress. The game is more mental than physical – just paying attention to the detail-oriented stuff, and them learning the intangibles that can help them to stay on the basketball court, will go a long way.”
The three-day clinic is scheduled to wrap up today.
Hield will return to NBA action on October 21 against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.