Buddy Hield signs contract extension with Nike, explains the influence of Kobe — his idol
Hield will continue to wear Nike shoes, specifically Kobe Bryant's signature shoe. Because growing up, he wanted to do everything like Kobe.
Buddy Hield has had a special start to the season on the court, shooting over 40% from outside and 46.3% from the field, his highest mark since 2017.
But off the court, he has something else to be excited about. Hield, who turns 30 in December, just signed a contract extension with Nike.
“It’s good, man,” he’s saying with a big smile on his face. “I’ve been a Nike guy for a long time. I’ve been in Kobe’s for a long time.”
Hield is from The Bahamas, attended prep school in Kansas and then played four years at the University of Oklahoma. They were a Nike school and that’s when he started where Kobe Bryant’s signature shoe regularly.
“I always felt comfortable playing in those,” he said. “The shoes have a strong structure. I had a foot injury in college and after my foot injury, I started wearing Kobe’s. The lows came out and the structure fit the way I move, my mobility and stuff. It’s a win-win situation for me.”
Kobe Bryant was everything to Hield. He was his idol.
Hield wanted to be like him, do everything like him.
He wears No. 24 and even signed with Kobe’s agent, Rob Pelinka, now the GM of the Lakers since 2017, because of Bryant.