01.31.2022

Nah’shon “Bones” Hyland Teams with Under Armour

The Denver Nuggets point guard and rookie-of-the-year candidate brings his exciting style to the UA roster

Hyland grew up in a single-parent household with three siblings in Wilmington, Delaware. Bones’ mother Marshay — a constant force of optimism and betterment in his life — kept a close guard on him, always nudging him toward the relative safety of the gym and sports, and away from some of the darker roads available to a young man in Wilmington. 

 

His first sport was football, but he switched to basketball at the behest of his mom.  

 

“Making sure that he stayed busy was very important to me,” said Marshay Hyland. “He could've easily went the wrong way, so I had to constantly just [guide him] — it wasn't hard to constantly drive him, because he already had that self-motivation. It was just keeping him on a clear path, and making sure that he didn't do what everybody else was doing.” 

 

Through it all, Hyland stayed out of trouble by staying in the gym and on the court, dedicating every fiber of his being to becoming a better athlete, becoming a rising star by high school.

 

Around the world and across sports, Under Armour proudly teams up with athlete ambassadors who share a commitment to the power of sport – its ability to uplift, inspire, and better the lives of young athletes who strive for more. Today, that roster grows with the addition of Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland, the Denver Nuggets rookie who’s already changing the game.  

 

The 21-year-old point guard has already showcased effortless long-range shooting and playmaking skills to average 8 points a game from the bench. At a higher level, Hyland’s success reflects how access to sport for young people can shape their lives and help them grow into the best version of themselves. 

 

This January, Hyland is helping Under Armour drive awareness for the importance of access to sports and the barriers many of today’s young athletes face on their journey to compete by sharing his story and highlighting the power of sport. In the future, Hyland and Under Armour will work together to identify more ways for him to help share the message that sports are critical, not extracurricular.

 

“I’m thrilled to be working with Under Armour because they understand the power of sport to help on and off the court and want to give more people the opportunity to experience that for themselves,” said Bones. “Basketball is my life; it’s gotten me through everything. It’s amazing to have a brand that believes in me and sees my potential like Under Armour.” 

Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland

“I managed to make it through by keeping God first, and following my mom, and just staying inside the family,” Hyland says. “That helped me get to where I'm at now.” 

 

 Hyland’s promise was nearly cut short in 2018 by a house fire that claimed the lives of his grandmother and 11-month-old cousin. As his bedroom filled with black smoke, Hyland made the decision to jump out of his second-story window. It saved his life, but severely injured his leg and put his sports career in doubt.

 

“The doctors told me I’d never play basketball ever again,” said Hyland. “I just needed to stay around friends and family, and just keep talking to my mom, and stuff that took my mind off it because honestly, I thought it was over.”  

 

Through months of work and a commitment to a sport that had given him so much, Hyland was able to come back and finish his senior year. He then moved on to play college ball at Virginia Commonwealth University, using his excellent shooting and ball-handling to earn player of the year honors in the Atlantic 10 conference. In the 2021 NBA draft, Hyland was the No. 1 pick for the Nuggets and the 26th pick overall.  

 

“We’re excited that Bones Hyland has chosen to join the Under Armour team. We share not just a passion for sports, but a commitment to improving the lives of players at all levels, and ensuring young people who will look up to Bones in the future can follow in his path."

Sean Eggert, SVP of Global Sports Marketing

Beyond his stats so far, Hyland brings a unique energy to the court. He’s a dynamic player with an infectious personality and a near-permanent smile — another quality he credits to his mom. 

 

“That's my best friend, my backbone, my everything,” said Hyland of his mom. “She just always, whatever she went through, she always had a smile on her face, and she never blamed nobody else for anything, for what we go through, or what we've been through, and the struggle. She never blamed anybody else, and I got that from her.” 

 

You can learn more about Under Armour’s commitment to breaking down barriers that limit access to sport by clicking HERE.