In the modern NBA, the walk from the parking garage to the locker room has become as scrutinized as the box score. Few players navigate that intersection of style and sport with as much authenticity as Golden State Warriors forward, Buddy Hield.
Known for his lethal perimeter shooting, Hield has also established himself as a versatile figure in the league’s fashion culture, adapting his wardrobe to every city he’s called home—from the “cozy vibes” of the West Coast to the sharp, layered looks required by a Philadelphia winter.
I recently caught up with the sharpshooter to discuss the inspirations behind his tunnel walks, the rising tide of Bahamian talent in the league, and the surreal experience of “talking shop” over lunch with the late, great Kobe Bryant.
Check Out Our Q&A:
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Your tunnel walks always get attention. Who are the guys in the culture that you look to for fashion inspiration?
Buddy Hield: I think guys that have really good fashion that I see that I look up to and I like… I like Offset’s fashion. I think Offset has very good fashion. I like Travis Scott’s fashion. I like the brown and I’m a big fan; those two kind of fit my style and I like the way they put things together. It’s unique and it’s different, but it’s fire.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’ve played on both coasts and in the Midwest. How has your environment influenced the way you dress, and how do you keep that versatility in your wardrobe?
Buddy Hield: You know, I’ve played out East in Indiana, and when you’re in Indiana, you don’t want to do nothing because it’s Indiana—it’s like, what are you dressing up for? But Philly was more like you can dress up more and go to New York and have more fun with it, right? On the West Coast, it’s a more chill, cozy type vibe. East Coast depends on the weather. When it gets cold, I like getting dressed too—put on a nice jacket from Saks, some slacks, a beanie if you don’t have a haircut… you know? Sometimes just mix it up a lot. On the West Coast, you can put on a long-sleeved shirt or a flannel and swag it out with some dress shoes or maybe throw some Charlie Scotts on. If I see pieces I like, I’ll try to mix it with the stuff I have.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: There’s a big debate about “high-low” styling. Are you a believer in mixing luxury labels with everyday affordable pieces?
Buddy Hield: Of course, yes! At times I’ll get something from Urban Outfitters and then I’ll mix it with a Balenciaga shirt and some Air Forces. People get caught in the mirage of thinking, “Oh, you’re in the NBA, you’re getting money.” It’s just like a girl—when she dresses, all she needs is her hair and her bag. She can get her stuff from Fashion Nova for $70, but if her hair and nails are poppin’, she looks really good. The accessories make the look. My jewelry makes the look; you kill it with the accessories and that sets it off.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Looking at the league today, the Bahamian presence is growing. What does it mean to you to see that representation expanding with guys like V.J. Edgecombe coming up?
Buddy Hield: It means a lot, man! The training is happening. We got V.J. Edgecombe and other guys on the cusp of making it. It’s a fun, unique thing. We’re trying to get more guys in the mix. V.J. being a top pick gives even more hope. If I can do it, you can do it. All we have to do is provide the proper motive and the will, and you’ll be in there too.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You entered the league in 2016. Since your rookie year, how have you seen the style of play evolve across the NBA?
Buddy Hield: It’s a copycat league. Everybody tries to copy whatever someone else is doing well. But it all goes back to regular basketball in the postseason. When playoff basketball comes, the game becomes more physical—the grabbing, the holding. It comes down to the guys who play together, move the ball, and get good shots. The stars that play the best, their team always wins.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Everyone has their “mountains” they look up to. Who were the three players that really got you hooked on the game?
Buddy Hield: Kobe for sure. Kobe, Allen Iverson, and Steph [Curry]. I always watched Steph. Steph was elite.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You missed playing against Kobe by just one season. Did you ever get the chance to connect with him off the court?
Buddy Hield: No, he was leaving as I came in. But I had some conversations with him that summer because we had the same agent in Rob Pelinka. I went to lunch with Kobe multiple times and it was fun, man.
Brandon “Scoop B”
Robinson: When you’re sitting at lunch with an icon like that, what does the conversation look like? Are you guys strictly talking shop?
Buddy Hield: Basketball conversations about every game that I saw! He would say, “Man, I hate the step-back!” I said, ‘Yeah? Why did you do the step-back against OKC going to the left? It was nice, you know what I’m sayin’?’ and he was like, “How do you remember that?” and I was like, ‘Because I study you and I know every event…’ and that was fun.