Kobe Bryant and Buddy Hield cause a stir during Sweet 16 game
Buddy Hield is on his way to the NBA as soon as his senior season ends with the Oklahoma Sooners, but he won’t get the opportunity to play against Kobe Bryant when he gets there because Bryant will retire after this season.
So Hield wasn’t going to be stopped on Thursday when he saw his chance to introduce himself to one of the greatest players in history.
[All out of miracles, Texas A&M succumbs to old rival Oklahoma]
After scoring 17 points in a win over Texas A&M in the Sweet 16 in Anaheim, Calif., Hield went out into the crowd to shake hands with Bryant, who was sitting among Duke fans watching the Blue Devils take on Oregon for the right to play against Hield and the Sooners on Saturday in the Elite Eight.
Bryant was there to support coach Mike Krzyzewski and his team. They have a lengthy relationship through USA Basketball and back to the days when Bryant was a high school recruit.
Seeing the two stars shaking hands and chatting briefly caused quite a stir in the arena and social media.
Bryant wasn’t the only notable name in the house to support the Blue Devils. Apple CEO Tim Cook, who earned his master’s degree at Duke, also came to root for the defending national champ.
It’s possible that Hield could end up being drafted by the Lakers with the second overall pick in the NBA draft in June, but most analysts don’t see Hield being selected quite that high. The Lakers have only one pick in the first round this year.
Buddy Hield and a fan: pic.twitter.com/ukOXVmLK6X
— OHB (@ohholybutt) March 25, 2016
Kobe Bryant talking to Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield. Apple CEO Tim Cook in blue over Hield’s shoulder (via @MedcalfByESPN) pic.twitter.com/qPgTjhBdLm
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 25, 2016
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[Kyle Ringo is the assistant editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KyleRingo
