On Saturday night, Oklahoma didn’t just celebrate a player, they made a permanent statement. At halftime against Texas A&M, the university retired Buddy Hield’s No. 24 jersey, meaning no future Oklahoma player will ever wear that number again. It now hangs in the rafters of the Lloyd Noble Center as a symbol of his legacy.
Hield earned that honor with one of the most dominant seasons in college basketball history. In 2016, Hield averaged 25 points per game, shot 45.7% from three, and led the Sooners to the Final Four. His 46-point triple-overtime performance at Kansas and 37-point Elite Eight showing against Oregon remain etched in NCAA lore.
Surrounded by family, former coaches, and teammates, Hield thanked fans as his banner was lifted an emotional full-circle moment.
From the Bahamas to the Big 12, and now a 10-year NBA career currently with the Atlanta Hawks, Buddy Hield’s number isn’t just retired. It’s remembered.
