Bones Hyland Bio
Nah’Shon Lee “Bones” Hyland (born September 14, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball for the VCU Rams before being drafted 26th overall in the 2021 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. A combo guard listed at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and 169 lb (77 kg), Hyland has built his reputation as a sharpshooting perimeter scorer.
Hyland has spent his professional career between the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Minnesota Timberwolves, while also spending time with the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League. He earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2022 and was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 2021 during his sophomore season at VCU.
Early Life and Background
Hyland was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and raised in the surrounding area. He started playing basketball after watching his older brother and a friend play at a local park, a formative moment that sparked his lifelong love for the game. As a child, he earned the nickname “Bizzy Bones” and later simply “Bones,” partly because of his slender build.
Hyland attended St. Georges Technical High School in Middletown, Delaware, where he developed into one of the state’s top prospects. During his junior year, a devastating house fire claimed the lives of his 11-month-old cousin and his grandmother. Hyland escaped by jumping from his second-floor bedroom and suffered a torn patellar tendon that sidelined him for roughly six months. As a senior, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.4 steals per game, leading his team to the state tournament semifinals. He was named Delaware Player of the Year and earned first-team All-State honors, and he was rated a four-star recruit.
Path to Professional Basketball
Coming out of high school, Hyland was recruited by several programs, including Saint Joseph’s, Rhode Island, La Salle, Boston College, UConn, and Temple, but he chose to play college basketball for the VCU Rams of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The decision gave him the chance to develop within a guard-friendly system while staying relatively close to home.
As a freshman during the 2019–20 season, Hyland averaged nine points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game and shot 43.4 percent from three-point range, setting a VCU freshman record with 63 three-pointers. His performance earned him a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team. The following season, he elevated his game as a sophomore, averaging 19.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, and was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and First-team All-Atlantic 10. He then declared for the 2021 NBA draft on April 17, 2021, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Bones Hyland Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Hyland’s first taste of high-level competition came at St. Georges Technical High School, where he starred as a senior and cemented himself as one of the most productive guards in Delaware. His high school résumé made him a four-star recruit and helped set the stage for his college career at VCU.
At VCU, Hyland quickly established himself as a perimeter weapon. His freshman record for three-pointers and his All-Rookie Team selection showed his scoring instincts, and his sophomore breakout, highlighted by a 31-point game against Western Carolina and a 30-point performance against North Carolina A&T, confirmed his readiness for the NBA. By the end of his sophomore year, he was widely viewed as one of the top guard prospects in the 2021 draft class.
NBA Breakthrough with the Denver Nuggets (2021–2023)
On July 29, 2021, Hyland was selected 26th overall in the 2021 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets, becoming VCU’s first draft pick in 11 years. He slotted in as a scoring guard off the bench and quickly showed his range and confidence from beyond the arc. On January 15, 2022, he scored a then career-high 27 points and added 10 rebounds in a 133–96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, announcing himself as an offensive spark plug.
Hyland played a supporting role during Denver’s deep playoff runs, including contributing 15 points and 7 assists in a 126–121 Game 4 victory over the Golden State Warriors during the first round of the 2022 playoffs. In the 2022–23 season, he appeared in 42 games and averaged more than 11 points per game before being traded. His production and shot-making from the bench made him a fan favorite and helped him earn a place on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2022.
Los Angeles Clippers Era (2023–2025)
On February 9, 2023, Hyland was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a four-team deal also involving the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. The move gave him a fresh opportunity in a new backcourt rotation and a chance to expand his game as a combo guard.
With the Clippers, Hyland continued to serve as an instant-offense guard. On April 10, 2024, he set a new career high with 37 points in a 124–108 loss to the Phoenix Suns, showcasing his ability to pile up points in a hurry. He spent parts of the 2024–25 season bouncing between Los Angeles and the G League before being dealt again.
Minnesota Timberwolves Era (2025–Present)
On February 6, 2025, Hyland was traded, along with Terance Mann, to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Bogdan Bogdanović and three second-round draft picks. He was waived by Atlanta the following day, clearing the way for his next opportunity. On February 27, 2025, he signed a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he appeared in four games and averaged 1.3 points, 0.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assist while splitting time with the Iowa Wolves, Minnesota’s G League affiliate.
On September 15, 2025, Hyland re-signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, signaling that the organization views him as a piece of its long-term backcourt plans. His return gives him a clear path to compete for minutes in a deep guard rotation as the 2025–26 season unfolds.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hyland is best known as a high-volume three-point shooter with deep range and quick trigger. He thrives in transition and in catch-and-shoot situations, and he has shown a knack for changing momentum with quick scoring bursts. While he is still refining his playmaking and defense, his ability to stretch the floor and generate offense in short stints makes him a valuable specialist.
Notable Events and Milestones
Some of the defining moments of Hyland’s career so far include his 27-point, 10-rebound breakout against the Lakers in January 2022, his 37-point career high against the Phoenix Suns in April 2024, and his selection to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2022. Being part of the Denver Nuggets organization during their championship run in 2023 also stands out, even though he was later excluded from receiving a championship ring after his trade to the Clippers.
Bones Hyland Career Achievements
Across his college and professional career, Bones Hyland has earned recognition as one of the more dynamic young scorers to come out of the Atlantic 10 Conference. His combination of shooting, ball-handling, and competitive toughness has translated from high school stardom in Delaware to productive NBA minutes.
College and NBA Highlights
At VCU, Hyland set a freshman record with 63 three-pointers and was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and First-team All-Atlantic 10 in 2021, along with Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team honors in 2020. In the NBA, he was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2022 and produced multiple 30-plus point performances, including a 37-point career high with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Bones Hyland Family
Personal Life
Hyland’s personal life has been shaped in large part by his Delaware roots and the close bond with his older brother, whose pickup games helped introduce him to basketball. The family endured a major tragedy during his junior year of high school, when his grandmother and infant cousin died in a house fire. Hyland has largely kept his personal relationships out of the public eye, and details about a spouse or children are not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Hyland’s 2025 calendar year began with a fresh start in Minnesota. After a brief stop with the Atlanta Hawks, he signed a two-way contract with the Timberwolves on February 27, 2025, and split the rest of the season between the NBA club and the Iowa Wolves, posting modest averages in limited NBA minutes. His G League stints allowed him to find rhythm as a scorer while adjusting to a new organization.
The bigger development of his 2025 came on September 15, 2025, when he re-signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, locking in a longer-term opportunity heading into the 2025–26 NBA season. The agreement signals mutual interest between player and franchise and gives Hyland a clearer path to carve out a rotation role.
Looking ahead, Hyland enters the 2025–26 season as a depth guard whose primary value comes from perimeter shooting and bench scoring. If he can stay healthy and carve out consistent minutes, he has the tools to be a difference-maker for the Timberwolves’ second unit and to add to his list of career milestones.