Last Updated on October 7, 2026 by Candida Lucia
Buddy Hield comes from a large and close-knit Bahamian family whose sacrifices played a major role in his journey to the NBA. Born Chavano Rainer Hield on December 17, 1992, in Freeport, The Bahamas, he grew up in Eight Mile Rock as the fifth of seven children. His mother, Jackie Swann, raised the family under difficult financial circumstances, while Richard Bryanen later became an important father figure in Buddy’s life.
Today, Hield has built a family of his own. He has been in a long-term relationship with Bahamian model and entrepreneur Remi Martinii, who was still publicly identified as his partner in 2026. Their first child, daughter Rainer, was born in 2017, and more recent reports indicate that the couple subsequently welcomed two more children. Family remains one of the central themes of Hield’s life, from the six siblings with whom he shared a crowded childhood home to the children he is now raising with Remi.
Who Is Buddy Hield’s Girlfriend?
Buddy Hield’s longtime partner is Remi Martinii, a Bahamian model, entrepreneur and law graduate. Although Remi is frequently called Hield’s wife on some websites and social-media posts, reliable current reporting continues to describe her as his partner rather than confirming that the couple has married.
The relationship has lasted for many years and began before Hield became one of the NBA’s best-known three-point shooters. In an interview discussing the pressures of dating a famous athlete, Remi explained that she did not view her partner primarily through the lens of celebrity because she had fallen in love with him before fame changed their lives.
The couple has generally kept their relationship away from extensive media attention. Hield’s social-media presence concentrates heavily on basketball, while Remi has been more willing to discuss motherhood, fitness and her professional interests.
As recently as February 2026, Remi was photographed alongside Hield at the University of Oklahoma, and subsequent reporting identified her as his partner. As of now, there has been no reliable public announcement confirming that Buddy Hield and Remi Martinii are married.
Who Is Remi Martinii?
Remi Martinii was born in The Bahamas and began modeling when she was young. She was discovered by Bahamian photographer Christine Demeritte and developed a career in fashion while continuing her education.
Martinii later studied law at the University of Westminster in London. She has explained that her legal education helped her professionally by teaching her to carefully examine contracts and giving her greater confidence when communicating with other people.
She has also pursued entrepreneurship and fitness while balancing those interests with motherhood. Remi has spoken openly about how becoming a mother changed her priorities and motivated her to become a stronger role model for her children.
Does Buddy Hield Have Children?
Yes. Buddy Hield is a father. His first child, a daughter named Rainer, was born in November 2017.
The birth of Rainer was publicly documented during Hield’s time with the Sacramento Kings. In 2019, Hield spoke warmly about fatherhood, explaining how meaningful it was to wake up and hear his young daughter call him “dadada.” She was also frequently seen waiting for her father after games at Golden 1 Center.
More recent reports indicate that Hield and Remi Martinii have expanded their family and now have three children. Their younger children have received much less mainstream media coverage than Rainer, reflecting the couple’s increasingly private approach to family life.
Who Is Buddy Hield’s Daughter, Rainer?
Buddy Hield’s eldest daughter is Rainer, sometimes publicly identified as Rainer Cali Hield. She was born on November 8, 2017.
Her name has a special connection with her father because Hield’s full birth name is Chavano Rainer Hield.
During Hield’s years with Sacramento, Rainer occasionally appeared around Kings games. A 2019 Sacramento Bee profile described her greeting her father outside the locker room and documented how much Hield enjoyed his new role as a parent.
Remi later discussed Rainer in a 2021 interview, explaining that motherhood had changed her life for the better and strengthened her desire to become a positive example for her daughter.
Does Buddy Hield Have a Son?
More recent family reporting indicates that Buddy Hield and Remi Martinii also have a son named River, reportedly born in November 2021.
Compared with Rainer, relatively little information about River has appeared in established basketball publications. Hield and Remi have increasingly protected their children’s privacy, particularly as their family has grown.
Who Is Buddy Hield’s Youngest Daughter?
Recent reports based largely on the family’s public social-media activity indicate that Hield and Remi welcomed another daughter, Rhema Rose Chavana Hield, in November 2024.
Because Hield has not made his younger children a regular part of his NBA media profile, significantly less independently verified information is available about Rhema than about his eldest daughter, Rainer.
As of now, the most recent public reporting indicates that Buddy Hield and Remi Martinii are parents to three children.
Who Are Buddy Hield’s Parents?
Buddy Hield’s family background requires some clarification because official basketball biographies and detailed feature stories describe his parental relationships differently.
The NBA and University of Oklahoma officially list Jackie Swann and Richard Bryanen as Hield’s parents. However, detailed reporting on Hield’s childhood identifies Richard as his stepfather, explaining that he entered Buddy’s life after Jackie had separated from Buddy’s biological father.
Hield was primarily raised by his mother, Jackie, who became the dominant parental influence during his childhood and adolescence.
Who Is Buddy Hield’s Mother, Jackie Swann?
Jackie Swann, also referred to in some reports as Jackie Braynen, is Buddy Hield’s mother and one of the most important people in his life.
She raised seven children in Eight Mile Rock, a community near Freeport on Grand Bahama. After separating from Buddy’s biological father when Buddy was approximately 10 or 11 years old, Jackie became responsible for supporting the large family.
Money was extremely limited. Jackie worked multiple jobs, including cleaning houses, cooking and other work, to ensure that her children had food and basic necessities.
The family lived with Buddy’s grandmother, and the children experienced conditions dramatically different from the lifestyle their brother would eventually enjoy as an NBA player.
How Jackie Swann Raised Seven Children
Buddy and his six siblings shared an extremely crowded sleeping space during their childhood. ESPN reported that the seven children sometimes attempted to sleep together on one bed, with some eventually moving onto the floor because there was not enough space.
Despite the family’s financial difficulties, Hield has repeatedly described his childhood as happy because of the atmosphere his mother created.
Jackie emphasized discipline, faith and staying away from trouble. Hield later said his mother essentially performed the responsibilities of both a mother and father during much of his upbringing.
He has credited her with teaching him right from wrong and giving him the foundation necessary to avoid many of the problems facing young people in his neighborhood.
Why Buddy Hield Calls His Mother His Role Model
Jackie remained closely involved even after Buddy left The Bahamas to pursue basketball in the United States.
When Hield became a college star at Oklahoma, his mother spent significant periods with him in Norman. After he was selected in the 2016 NBA Draft, Hield said he wanted Jackie close to him as he began his professional career.
He described his mother as his spiritual inspiration and role model, explaining that her presence helped him remain focused despite the dramatic changes caused by NBA fame and money.
Providing a better life for Jackie and his siblings also became one of Hield’s major motivations for reaching professional basketball.
Who Is Richard Bryanen?
Richard Bryanen is the man listed alongside Jackie Swann as Buddy Hield’s parent in official NBA and Oklahoma biographies. More detailed accounts of Hield’s upbringing, however, identify Bryanen as Buddy’s stepfather.
Richard entered Buddy’s life during his teenage years after beginning a relationship with Jackie. He worked as a construction-site supervisor and became an important male role model for the future NBA player.
His influence became especially important when Buddy received the opportunity to leave The Bahamas and attend Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas.
How Richard Bryanen Helped Buddy Hield Become a Basketball Player
Before Hield moved to the United States, Richard helped him prepare physically for the demands of American basketball.
Buddy reportedly spent months waking up at around 5 a.m. for weightlifting sessions and conditioning workouts on the beach with Richard.
Those sessions helped the young guard become stronger before joining Sunrise Christian Academy, where he would eventually attract the attention of major college programs.
Although Richard was not Buddy’s biological father, his role during this crucial developmental period explains why official basketball biographies have often identified him as one of Hield’s parents.
Who Is Buddy Hield’s Biological Father?
Buddy Hield has rarely discussed his biological father publicly. Major profiles from CBS Sports and Vice reported that Hield’s parents separated when he was approximately 10 or 11 and that his mother subsequently raised the children largely on her own.
Some more recent reports identify Buddy’s biological father as Vincent Hield. However, older official basketball biographies instead list Richard Bryanen without distinguishing him as a stepfather.
Because Hield himself has spoken much more extensively about Jackie and Richard, relatively little reliable biographical information about his biological father is publicly available.
Who Are Buddy Hield’s Siblings?
Buddy Hield grew up with six siblings: three brothers and three sisters. ESPN identified the seven children in the household as B.J., Curvin, Coco, Chevez, Buddy, Pepper and Jennaya.
Buddy was the fifth of Jackie Swann’s seven children. Growing up with so many siblings in a small home created an extremely close family bond that remained important after he moved to the United States.
His brothers and sisters are commonly identified as B.J. Simmons, Curvin Hield, Chevez Hield, Coco Hield, Pepper Hield and Jennaya Hield.
Who Is Buddy Hield’s Brother B.J. Simmons?
B.J. Simmons is Buddy Hield’s oldest brother. Like several members of the family, B.J. was athletically talented.
Sports Illustrated reported that Simmons competed in track at the University of Central Arkansas. Track and field actually had a strong presence within the Hield family, with several of Jackie’s children pursuing the sport.
B.J. has spoken publicly about the family’s difficult childhood and recalled that the lack of space often forced the children to sleep on the floor.
He also explained that witnessing his family helped keep Buddy motivated during his college career because Hield understood that professional basketball could dramatically improve their lives.
Who Is Buddy Hield’s Brother Curvin?
Curvin Hield, whose first name has also appeared as Kervin in some reports, is another of Buddy Hield’s older brothers.
Curvin was part of the group of siblings with whom Buddy grew up in Eight Mile Rock. Like B.J., he has maintained a considerably lower public profile than his NBA-star brother.
The Hield brothers remained close even after Buddy moved abroad, and family members frequently visited him during his college career.
Who Is Buddy Hield’s Brother Chevez?
Chevez Hield is one of Buddy’s brothers and played an especially memorable role in his earliest basketball experiences.
Growing up without easy access to proper basketball facilities, Buddy and Chevez built their own makeshift hoop using plywood and a milk crate.
The homemade basket initially stood in the backyard before being moved so Buddy could practice longer shots. Those improvised childhood courts became part of the story of how Hield developed the shooting ability that eventually made him one of the NBA’s most prolific three-point shooters.
Who Is Buddy Hield’s Sister Coco?
Coco Hield is one of Buddy Hield’s sisters. She appeared in ESPN’s detailed profile about the family’s childhood in The Bahamas and recalled Buddy as the sibling who brought energy and entertainment to the household.
Like most of Buddy’s siblings, Coco has generally remained outside the international sports spotlight.
Who Is Buddy Hield’s Sister Pepper?
Pepper Hield is another of Buddy’s sisters and one of the seven children raised by Jackie Swann.
Although limited information about her adult life has been published, she was part of the extremely close sibling group that grew up sharing limited space in their grandmother’s home in Eight Mile Rock.
Who Is Buddy Hield’s Sister Jennaya?
Jennaya Hield is Buddy Hield’s other publicly documented sister.
Jennaya, Pepper and Coco have generally maintained private lives compared with their famous brother. Buddy has nevertheless spoken consistently about his sisters as an important source of encouragement and family support.
Buddy Hield Was the Fifth of Seven Children
Buddy’s position within such a large family shaped much of his personality. He was the fifth child and grew up surrounded by brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and grandparents.
The family’s childhood home was crowded, but Hield has repeatedly emphasized the happiness that existed despite their lack of money.
He became known within the family for his playful personality and ability to make people laugh. His mother later recalled that even after he became famous, Buddy remained the sibling who returned home and joked with everyone.
That family-centered personality followed him to Oklahoma and eventually into the NBA, where Hield became known for his enthusiasm and energy around teammates.
How Buddy Hield’s Family Influenced His NBA Dream
Growing up in poverty gave Hield a powerful reason to pursue basketball beyond personal fame.
He understood that reaching the NBA could allow him to help his mother and siblings financially. Hield repeatedly spoke during his college career about wanting to create a better life for the relatives who had sacrificed alongside him.
His mother provided discipline and faith, his siblings supplied constant motivation and competition, and Richard Bryanen helped prepare him physically when an opportunity emerged to play basketball in the United States.
Hield left The Bahamas in 2010 to attend Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas. He later joined the University of Oklahoma and developed into one of the greatest players in Sooners history.
After winning major national Player of the Year awards in 2016, Hield was selected sixth overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Draft.
Buddy Hield’s Bahamian Family Roots
Despite spending most of his professional career in the United States, Hield has remained deeply connected to The Bahamas and particularly Grand Bahama.
His experiences in Eight Mile Rock influenced his charitable work, basketball camps and desire to create opportunities for Bahamian children.
Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, Hield donated significant personal funds and helped raise money for affected Bahamian families.
In 2024, the Government of The Bahamas appointed Hield Ambassador-at-Large for Sports and Cultural Advancement, recognizing both his basketball achievements and his role in representing the country internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buddy Hield’s Family
Who are Buddy Hield’s parents?
Official NBA and University of Oklahoma biographies list Buddy Hield’s parents as Jackie Swann and Richard Bryanen. Detailed profiles describe Bryanen as Hield’s stepfather and an important male role model during his teenage years.
Who is Buddy Hield’s mother?
Buddy Hield’s mother is Jackie Swann, also referred to in some reports as Jackie Braynen. She raised seven children in The Bahamas and worked multiple jobs to support them.
Who is Buddy Hield’s biological father?
Some recent reports identify Buddy Hield’s biological father as Vincent Hield. Hield’s biological parents separated when he was approximately 10 or 11 years old. Richard Bryanen subsequently became his stepfather and is the father figure listed in many official basketball biographies.
Is Richard Bryanen Buddy Hield’s father?
Richard Bryanen is listed as Hield’s parent in official NBA and Oklahoma biographies, but detailed reporting identifies him as Buddy’s stepfather. He became an important mentor and helped train Hield before his move from The Bahamas to the United States.
How many siblings does Buddy Hield have?
Buddy Hield has six siblings: three brothers and three sisters. He was the fifth of seven children raised by his mother.
Who are Buddy Hield’s brothers?
Buddy Hield’s brothers are publicly identified as B.J. Simmons, Curvin Hield and Chevez Hield.
Who are Buddy Hield’s sisters?
Buddy Hield’s sisters are Coco Hield, Pepper Hield and Jennaya Hield.
Who is Buddy Hield’s girlfriend?
Buddy Hield’s longtime partner is Remi Martinii, a Bahamian model, entrepreneur and law graduate. She was still publicly identified as his partner in 2026.
Is Buddy Hield married?
There has been no reliable public confirmation that Buddy Hield and Remi Martinii have married. Although some websites describe Remi as his wife, current reporting continues to identify her as his partner.
Does Buddy Hield have children?
Yes. Buddy Hield is a father. His eldest daughter, Rainer, was born in 2017. More recent reports indicate that Hield and Remi Martinii have three children in total, including a son and a younger daughter.
Who is Buddy Hield’s daughter?
Buddy Hield’s eldest daughter is Rainer, also known as Rainer Cali Hield. She was born in November 2017 and was occasionally seen with her father during his years with the Sacramento Kings.
Where is Buddy Hield’s family from?
Buddy Hield’s family is from The Bahamas. He grew up in Eight Mile Rock on Grand Bahama, near Freeport, and has maintained strong connections with his home country throughout his NBA career.
Candida Lucia is a sports journalist and NBA writer specializing in tactical game analysis, player development, and league coverage. With an eye for on-court execution and team dynamics, she delivers detailed breakdowns of strategy, roster updates, and key performance trends. Passionate about bringing readers closer to the game, Candida offers engaging insights on every aspect of the NBA season, from regular-season battles to the Finals.
