Oklahoma retires Buddy Hield’s No. 24 jersey; AP All-American led the Sooners to 2016 Final Four
The Lloyd Noble Center has witnessed decades of basketball history, but few players have electrified the arena—or the sport—quite like Buddy Hield. On Saturday night, the Atlanta Hawks guard returned to the University of Oklahoma to watch his No. 24 jersey ascend to the rafters, permanently enshrining him alongside program legends like Wayman Tisdale and Blake Griffin.
The ceremony, held during halftime of the Sooners’ matchup against Texas A&M, offered a moment of reflection for Hield, who is currently navigating a busy NBA season. Fresh off a high-profile trade that sent him from the Golden State Warriors to Atlanta earlier this month, the 33-year-old veteran paused his professional campaign to reunite with former head coach Lon Kruger and the teammates who helped him orchestrate Oklahoma’s magical run to the 2016 Final Four. Addressing the crowd that once chanted his name with fervor, Hield expressed deep gratitude for the program that launched his career.
Hield’s legacy in Norman is defined by a senior season that stands as one of the most dominant in modern NCAA history. In 2016, "Buddy Love" captivated the basketball world, averaging 25 points per game while shooting 45.7% from deep. His heroics, including a 46-point explosion in a triple-overtime thriller against Kansas, earned him the Wooden Award and the Naismith Trophy. That collegiate dominance laid the foundation for his selection as the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Now in his tenth NBA season, Hield has translated his collegiate scoring prowess into a reputation as one of the league's elite perimeter threats. A former NBA Three-Point Contest champion, Hield has remained a durable and dangerous scorer across stops with the Pelicans, Kings, Pacers, and Sixers. His recent move to the Hawks, part of a blockbuster deal involving Kristaps Porziņģis, marks the latest chapter in a career built on the very skills honed at Oklahoma. As his banner was raised on Saturday, it symbolized not just a collegiate conclusion, but the enduring impact of a player who successfully bridged the gap between campus icon and professional mainstay.
The ceremony, held during halftime of the Sooners’ matchup against Texas A&M, offered a moment of reflection for Hield, who is currently navigating a busy NBA season. Fresh off a high-profile trade that sent him from the Golden State Warriors to Atlanta earlier this month, the 33-year-old veteran paused his professional campaign to reunite with former head coach Lon Kruger and the teammates who helped him orchestrate Oklahoma’s magical run to the 2016 Final Four. Addressing the crowd that once chanted his name with fervor, Hield expressed deep gratitude for the program that launched his career.
Hield’s legacy in Norman is defined by a senior season that stands as one of the most dominant in modern NCAA history. In 2016, "Buddy Love" captivated the basketball world, averaging 25 points per game while shooting 45.7% from deep. His heroics, including a 46-point explosion in a triple-overtime thriller against Kansas, earned him the Wooden Award and the Naismith Trophy. That collegiate dominance laid the foundation for his selection as the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Now in his tenth NBA season, Hield has translated his collegiate scoring prowess into a reputation as one of the league's elite perimeter threats. A former NBA Three-Point Contest champion, Hield has remained a durable and dangerous scorer across stops with the Pelicans, Kings, Pacers, and Sixers. His recent move to the Hawks, part of a blockbuster deal involving Kristaps Porziņģis, marks the latest chapter in a career built on the very skills honed at Oklahoma. As his banner was raised on Saturday, it symbolized not just a collegiate conclusion, but the enduring impact of a player who successfully bridged the gap between campus icon and professional mainstay.
