How assistant coach DeMarco helped recruit Buddy Hield to the Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
One of coach Steve Kerr’s confidants made Buddy Hield’s decision to join the warriors much easier.
After a good start with Golden State, Hield spoke with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Kerith Burke before Sunday’s game about the role of an assistant coach. Chris DeMarco played in recruiting him to the Warriors.
After all, DeMarco, also the head coach of the Bahamas men’s basketball team, recently coached Hield in the Bahamas’ qualifying tournaments for the Paris Summer Olympics, giving the pair plenty of time to talk. about the movement.
“Yeah, I did,” Buddy said about whether or not he asked DeMarco about the Warriors. “And, you know, he didn’t force me to do it either. He says, ‘Man, I knew you wanted to talk.’ Okay, let me go talk to you.’”
In early July, the Warriors acquired Hield via sign-and-trade as part of their massive six-team deal that saw franchise legend Klay Thompson join the Dallas Mavericks.
While trade negotiations were underway, DeMarco was behind the scenes working his recruiting magic.
“He helped me make the decision, making it easier,” Hield added. “But we knew the system would suit my style of play. I just want to come here and be loved and for everything to be starting off the right way. But I have to keep trying, stay humble, keep working and keep playing basketball with the Warriors.”
Although the 2024-25 NBA season is young, Warriors brass have a lot to thank DeMarco for, with Hield scoring 12 of his first 16 shots from beyond the arc, which marked a franchise record. He also made 18 of 26 field goals, an astonishing 69.2 percent.
By no means has Hield replaced Thompson’s historic efforts with Golden State, but the 31-year-old is a longtime 3-point specialist, and he’s showing it early on.
But from the looks of Hield’s hot streak, it wouldn’t be the worst idea if general manager Mike Dunleavy consulted DeMarco about future signings.