The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The NBA is still in its postseason, but Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield is already foreshadowing a more productive sophomore campaign when the 2017-18 campaign tips off next fall.

“My rookie season was cool, it was okay, I wasn’t satisfied with it. Many people might be satisfied with it, but I’m trying to build and make progress and try to get this franchise to the playoffs,” Hield said to James Ham of NBC Sports.

“I wear down, but there’s a drive to keep me going. Just knowing my struggles to get here, how long the process was of me getting to the NBA. That’s what keeps me going. I get tired, but I know where I came from and how hard it was to get here. I just can’t give up.”

He played 57 games with the New Orleans Pelicans before he was traded to the Kings in February.

In 25 games for the Kings, Hield made 18 starts and averaged 15.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game and 42 per cent shooting from three-point range.

On the season he averaged 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds on 42 per cent shooting from the field and 39 per cent from three-point range.

“I need a lot of things, this summer is great for me because next year it will show how big of a jump I can make,” he said.

“After that, we build off of that. Just keep building. I’m never going to take a step back. My motto is we always look ahead, we never look back.”

Hield set a new career high scoring mark for the third time in a Kings uniform, on a night where he received his second KIA NBA Rookie of the Month award and one the franchise dedicated to fan appreciation.

Prior to the trade, Hield had a scoring high of 21 points in 57 games with the Pelicans this season. He has since equalled or surpassed that mark four times since being traded to the Kings.

With the Pelicans, he originally scored 21 points in a 102-95 January win over the Indiana Pacers.

As a member of the Kings, Hield finished with 21 points in the Kings’ 116-98 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on March 22.

Two days later he set a then career high in scoring with 22 points in a 114-100 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Hield is a top contender among rookies when the NBA hosts its first-ever NBA Awards Show in New York City on June 26.

The star-studded event will recognise NBA players, teams, coaches and executives for their accomplishments and performances in the 2016-17 NBA season.

Hield is a contender for the  Kia NBA Rookie of the Year and the NBA All-Rookie Team.