North Carolina State University Athletics
Hodge a Top 50 Candidate for the Wooden Award
8/6/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Aug. 6, 2003
Julius Hodge, a first team All-ACC performer for NC State last season, has been named to the Wooden Award Preseason All-American Team, composed of 50 student-athletes who, based on last year's individual performance and team records, are the early frontrunners for college basketball's most coveted trophy. As a sophomore, Hodge, a versatile 6-6 swingman, led the Wolfpack in both scoring and rebounding in 2002-03. He is one of five players representing the Atlantic Coast Conference on the top 50 list.
Only returning players are eligible for the Preseason Team, although transfers and freshmen as well as other players who excel throughout the season will be evaluated and considered for the Midseason Top 30 list and the National Ballot.
"The Preseason Selection Committee had a tough chore in preparing this list because there are so many new faces this year," said Duke Llewellyn, Wooden Award chairman. "We are eager for the new season to get underway so that we can see which of these players will emerge as the most dominant in college basketball."
Created in 1976, the John R. Wooden Award is the most prestigious individual honor in college basketball. It is bestowed upon the nation's best player at an institution of higher education who has proven to his university that he is making progress toward graduation and maintaining a cumulative 2.0 GPA. Previous winners include such notables as Michael Jordan ('84), Larry Bird ('79), Tim Duncan ('97) and last year's recipient, T.J. Ford ('03). The 2004 Award ceremony, which will include the presentation of the Wooden Award All-American team and the presentation of the Legends of Coaching Award, will be held at The Los Angeles Athletic Club on Saturday, April 10, 2004 and will be broadcast live on a CBS telecast.
The top five finalists will receive a contribution from the John R. Wooden Award Scholarship Fund in their name to their university's general scholarship fund. The Wooden Award scholarship fund was established in 2002 by Applied Materials and corporate partners through the California Community Foundation (CCF) to honor Coach Wooden's dedication as an educator. The scholarship fund distributed a total of $75,000 to five universities last year, enabling 23 deserving students to pursue their educational goals. Anyone interested may contribute directly to the scholarship fund through the CCF (www.calfund.org).
Hodge averaged 17.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last season, while also recording five double-doubles and the first triple-double in school history.
"Julius is the most driven, self-motivated player that I've ever coached," said NC State head coach Herb Sendek. "He is a fierce competitor who simply hates to lose and who can impose the force of his will on a contest. Julius' spirit, passion and charisma reflect his great love for the game. I know one thing-I'm glad he's on our side!"
