VALENCIA (Spain) - Buddy Hield is showing everyone why he is one of the best shooters in the world.
The Bahamas captain has lit it up from three-point range in Valencia, and is expected to be paired up with Steph Curry on the Golden State Warriors next season (is it too early to potentially call them "Splash Buddies"?) - though the two shooting stars may yet play against each other in Paris, too.
Hield started out hot by knocking down 6-of-12 attempts in the opening win over Finland, then backed it up by going 5-of-10 against Poland to set a new two-game high in an Olympic Qualifying Tournament, in the modern era.
Most three-pointers made in a two-game stretch in OQT (since 2008)
As of July 5, 2024
Hield is the only player across all of the 2024 OQTs to have made at least five three-pointers in each game through the Group Phase. The long-range sharpshooter added two more in the Semi-Finals, inching closer to set another record with the most made triples in a single OQT since 2008 - only two more away from matching Bogdan Bogdanovic's mark of 15 in 2016.
Most three-pointers made in a single OQT (since 2008)
As of July 7, 2024
Hield has not just been a shooter for the Bahamas; providing invaluable leadership and also dished out 10 assists in two straight games to showcase that creativity in finding his teammates. He can create for himself, too, and if there's anyone on the court you definitely don't want to leave open, it's Hield.
If Hield can continue catching fire for the Bahamas, then they are going to be very tough to stop in their quest to make it to the Olympics.
FIBA