The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE breakout year continues for Bahamian sophomore guard Buddy Hield as he was recognised among the best players in his conference.

The Grand Bahama native was named to the All-Big 12 men’s basketball second team this weekend, just before Championship Week begins. He is joined on the second team by Joel Embiid of Kansas, Marcus Foster of Kansas State, Markel Brown of Oklahoma State and Johnathan Holmes of Texas.

In his second NCAA season, he increased his scoring average by nine points per game. He also saw his field goal percentage rise from 38 per cent to 45 per cent and his three-point shooting increase from 23 per cent to 40 per cent.

He finished the regular season ranked No.9 in the Big 12 in scoring at 16.8 points per game, second in steals at 1.5 per game, third in three-point field goals made at 2.8 per game and fourth in three-point percentage.

Within conference play, Hield had some of his best performances all season, and averaged 17.5 points per game, ranked No.8, was second in steals at 1.6 per game and shot 43 per cent from three- point range. He finished tied for the Big 12 lead in three point makes at 3.5 per game, with Brady Heslip of Baylor Bears.

Hield has scored in double figures in 29 of 31 games, made at least three 3-pointers in 14 of 18 Big 12 games, including in nine of the last 10 outings.

With 86 3-pointers on the year, Hield now ranks 10th on the Sooners’ single-season records list.

In an early February matchup against Iowa State, Hield scored a career high 30 points on 10-18 shooting from the field, including 5-8 from three-point range. He also set a career high in three pointers made in a previous matchup against the Cyclones when he shot 6-12 from beyond the arch.

Hield was joined by teammates Cameron Clark (All-Big 12 Third team), Ryan Spangler (Honourable Mention) and Tyler Neal (Co-Sixth Man of the Year) as other Sooners to earn All-Big 12 honours.The All-Big 12 First Team includes conference Player of the Year Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane, both of Iowa State, Juwan Staten of West Virginia, Andrew Wiggins of Kansas and Marcus Smart of Oklahoma State.

The Third Team included Clark, Perry Ellis of Kansas, Jaye Crockett of Texas Tech, Georges Niang of Iowa State and Cory Jefferson of Baylor.

The Sooners, ranked No.17 in the AP poll and No.18 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, are a lock for the NCAA Tournament field of 68, but their final seeding will be determined by their finish at the Big 12 tournament championship.

After a first round bye, they are scheduled to face the winner of the TCU Horned Frogs and Baylor Bears in the quarterfinals.

Edrico McGregor tipped off participation for Bahamian players this week in their respective Conference tournaments during “Championship Week” Tuesday night.

McGregor and his University of San Antonio Roadrunners fell in a nailbiter to the East Carolina Pirates (79-76) in the opening round of the Conference USA Tournament at the Don Haskins Centre in El Paso, Texas.

He finished with 11 points, four rebounds and three assists on 5-6 shooting from the field.

The Roadrunners finished the year at 8-22, 4-12 in conference play and McGregor, a 6’7” senior forward, averaged 7.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.