NBA player Nah’Shon “Bones” Highland could easily turn a blind eye from Wilmington, the city that raised him, and instead go Hollywood, after getting traded to the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this year.
While having captured the dream of playing in the NBA and agreeing to a four-year, $10 million rookie contract with the Denver Nuggets in 2021, 22-year-old Hyland could decide to leave Wilmington behind and not give back.
But that just isn’t the person the 6-foot-3 guard wants to be, said Austin Walton, Hyland’s sports agent.
“He’s all about bringing his community together,” Walton said. He wants to inspire the next generation, let them know they can be bigger than him and that they’re dreams are limitless.
On Saturday, Hyland held his third TRESSI Day basketball showcase, a free event to highlight top local basketball talent. The event, located at the Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington, also included music, food and free haircuts.
Hosting the event is a great fulfillment for Hyland, Walton said.
“I told Bones these are legacy events and this is what creates your legacy,” Walton said. “What you do on the basketball court is great but it’s about how you affect your community and how you affect everyone around you.”
TRESSI day sold out with more than 2,500 people in attendance. Seeing this event blossom throughout Hyland’s professional career is a proud moment for Zaiair Jenkins, who has known him for 10 years.
“This event’s come a long way − it started out at a park in Wilmington and now it’s in a gym,” said Jenkins, adding that the event has expanded to include players outside of Delaware.
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Finding early success
Hyland will enter his third NBA season this fall. Last year, he averaged 11.8 points per game while shooting 39.9% from the field as a key role player for the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers.
After a short college basketball career with Virginia Commonwealth University, Hyland turned pro and was drafted 26th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets.
Thomas Jackson, a big brother figure and mentor, recalled a humble Hyland prior to making himself into an NBA-caliber player.
“Since I first met him he’s always just been a very loving kid,” said Jackson, who is the founder and creator of popular Wilmington-based clothing brand Carry My Own Weight.
In addition to TRESSI DAY, Hyland will also hold his first basketball camp next month at his high school alma mater, St. George’s Technical School in Middletown. As a senior at the school in 2019, he was Delaware Player of the Year, first-team All-State for the second time. He also holds a school record of 1,857 career points.
Hyland recently announced the camp at St. Georges on Instagram. It will take place on Aug. 1-2 for students between 5th and 12th grade and feature skills training, prizes and photo ops.
“When [Hyland] comes back, it brings a smile to everybody’s face because he always has put Delaware on the map,” Jenkins said.
Contact local reporter Cameron Goodnight at cgoodnight@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting 302-324-2208. Follow him on Twitter at @CamGoodnight.
