Bones Hyland cooks for huge point total, but refuses to set Pro-Am record

Bones Hyland had a fantastic first season, earning a Second Team All-Rookie honor.

The fun-loving, braided-hair kid from Wilmington, Delaware, has endeared himself to the people of Denver, becoming a fan favorite. He’s got a knack for the big moment, a flair for talking, and almost always is smiling. All the things that make Bones such a popular member of the Nuggets were on display Sunday when he laced up his sneakers to play in Maryland’s Brunson Pro-Am League.

Hyland cooked for 62 of his team’s 79 points in the Baltimore gym. Here are just some of the highlights from Hyland’s Instagram story.

Yo @BizzyBones11’s ig story is crazy right now from his 62 points in a summer league game last night. This is just a taste: pic.twitter.com/zguv16s4mT

— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) August 1, 2022

Among Hyland’s highlights was a ridiculous crossover drive into a layup that got the crowd hyped. In the crowd was former teammate and longtime mentor of Bones, Will Barton, a native of the area.

Will Barton, who’s had his share of big-time @BrunsonLeague performances, was in attendance for Bones Hyland’s 62-point night. pic.twitter.com/pPnB3Azvni

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) August 1, 2022

But Hyland fell short of the 63-point record, checking himself out of the game out of respect. The two Tweets below tell the story of Hyland honoring a person who has passed away.

You heard correctly. Could’ve gone for the record of 63 points with the last shot. We notified him that the current record holder passed away a few years ago & @BizzyBones11 immediately decided against taking the last shot.

Great player & an even better human being. https://t.co/RpL0idGf5z

— Brunson League (@BrunsonLeague) August 1, 2022

Could’ve gone for the record of 63 points with the last shot. @BizzyBones11 immediately decided against taking the last shot.

Great player & an even better human being.@BrunsonLeague pic.twitter.com/dUHwgnfTY7

— purge season 🦈 (@hustlethemogul) August 1, 2022

Hyland and the Nuggets will be back in action soon. His role will be elevated with Barton and Monte Morris shipped out to the Wizards. Hyland is slotted in as the backup point guard and sixth man, likely to get way more than the two starts he earned last season. Hyland would slide into the starting five on maintenance nights for Jamal Murray, who is coming off of an ACL injury and missed all last season.

Was looking recently at how Bones Hyland finished his rookie season:

In his last 20 games:

14.0 PPG
41.2% from three
3.4 assist/turnover ratio

Over the last 30 years only two other rookies have done that: Kirk Hinrich in 2004 and Nick Van Exel in 1994. pic.twitter.com/br348dycgE

— Jake Coyne (Stat Squatch) (@BroncoSquatch) August 1, 2022