EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Buddy Hield wasn’t satisfied with his shooting performance during his private workout for the Los Angeles Lakers at their practice facility in El Segundo, California, on Saturday, so he asked for another try. And then another one.
During his last go-round, which was in front of a contingent of media, Hield started off hot before missing consecutive shots. He began yelling to pump himself up, saying, “C’mon Buddy Fresh!”
After the pep talk, Hield went on a shooting streak, exhibiting the elite stroke that made the Lakers bring him in for a second workout and has them considering him with the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft on Thursday.
When asked how “Buddy Fresh” inspired the uptick in shooting, Hield revealed his on-court alter ego.
“It’s my own nickname. It’s my alter ego,” Hield said. “I gave it to myself. That’s something I did. I’m just like that. I’m that type of dude.”
Coincidentally, the Lakers are familiar with shooting guards who wear No. 24 and have self-proclaimed nicknames.
Lakers legend Kobe Bryant comes to mind, of course, and he has been mentoring the 6-foot-5 Hield over the past couple of months, including a private, two-hour workout a few weeks ago set up through their shared agent, Rob Pelinka.
“Kobe has a busy schedule. Whenever he has a chance to hit me up or say he has time to work me out, then we got to work out again,” Hield said. “He just did it once, but it was a pretty good deal. I learned a lot of footwork stuff.
“It was a blessing. Most kids can’t say they’ve learned something from Kobe Bryant.”
Hield and Bryant worked exclusively on the offensive end of the court, with Bryant teaching Hield different tactics to get open off of screens and to improve his footwork when attacking defenders off the catch.
According to Hield, though, he learned far more from Bryant by picking his brain and absorbing his maniacal mindset.
“Just being mentally focused every time you get on the court and studying your opponents,” Hield said. “He told me how much he studies film. I’m just glad to learn a little bit and pick his brain.”
Arguably the biggest knock on Hield heading into the draft is his age. He will be 23 on Dec. 17, causing some general managers and scouts to worry that he is already developed and has limited upside.
Yet Hield looks at his four-year tenure at Oklahoma as an asset.
He cites Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and forward Draymond Green and Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum as recent examples of players who stayed in college for three or four years before becoming stars at the next level.
“Everybody has their opinions,” Hield said. “Most of those guys have never really touched a basketball. The GMs know what they’re looking for and which players fits their franchise the best.
“It’s funny how they say you stay four years in college and you can’t get better.”
Hield, who shot 45.7 percent on 3-pointers during his senior season, says there’s “no doubt” that he’s the best shooter in the draft, but admits he still has a lot to improve on.
“There’s nothing you can’t get better in,” Hield said.
ESPN.com’s draft expert Chad Ford has Hield going No. 8 overall in his latest mock draft, projecting Hield to likely be selected in the No. 5-8 range.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are expected to select either Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram, though that didn’t stop Hield from stating his case for the second overall pick before the draft (Hield also worked out for the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans).
“The Lakers are losing Kobe and they need a scorer,” Hield said. “Why not? Why not come in and fill in their spot? I’m a confident player. I’ve been under pressure my whole life, just overcoming obstacles.
"I know L.A. is in a [big] market and they expect to win, and I’m a player that will come in expecting to win right away.”
Hield’s renowned shooting ability and steadfast confidence aren’t enough to change a team’s fortunes just yet but, like Bryant, when Hield channels his self-professed alter ego, it seems like any shot is possible.