North Carolina State University Athletics
Tony Haynes: Hodge's Time Has Come
6/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 27, 2005
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - One after another, the pre-NBA mock drafters have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to predict which players will go where during the league's annual selection process, to be held Tuesday night in New York. Yes, it is a futile process that is relatively meaningless. No one on the outside can possibly know for sure exactly what NBA teams will choose to do when their number comes up on Tuesday. But perhaps NC State's Julius Hodge can take comfort in knowing that the majority of prognosticators agree that he has a good chance of having his name called in the first round.
The reviews on Hodge have always been mixed. "Where does a gangly 6-7 swingman with an inconsistent jump shot fit in?" NBA insiders have often asked. Some wondered if he would even be drafted at all.
But during his pre-draft workouts, word is that Hodge has given coaches and general managers plenty to chew on. Maybe he doesn't shoot the ball well from the perimeter, but his passion, know-how and work ethic have left a lasting impression.
The ACC's player of the year as a junior in 2004, Hodge became best known for his versatility at NC State. Whether he was scoring, rebounding or dishing out assists, he always had a knack for doing whatever needed to be done. And no one benefited from this Jack of all trades more than the Wolfpack program, which qualified for the NCAA Tournament all four years of his career.
Reluctant to tip their hand before the draft, NBA coaches usually give out snippets of fairly useless information about prospects after putting them through individual workouts. But most, if not all, have had a difficult time containing their admiration for Hodge's enthusiasm. More than likely, they see from him the type of passion for winning that they themselves bring to every game during the NBA's grueling 82-game schedule.
Along with his versatility, Hodge's love of the game may indeed be his biggest ally going into the draft.
He may one day make several million dollars a year playing basketball. But the fact is he'd play just as hard for several thousand dollars a year. One way or the other, Hodge would be playing basketball simply because that's what he does.
So what are the pre-draft `gurus' saying? Sports Illustrated and CNN have Hodge going No. 26 to Detroit. One ESPN `Insider' likes Hodge going to Memphis at No. 19. Miami at No 29 has also been mentioned. A few others report that the Lakers, who hold the 10th pick, really covet the Harlem native's potential as a tall point guard.
A tall point guard with the Lakers? Hmmm, that has a familiar ring to it. Although he's a longtime Knicks fan, Hodge has always said the player that influenced his style the most was Magic Johnson.
When he chose to come back to NC State for his senior year after being named the ACC's top player, Hodge became a rarity of sorts. The stars of college basketball almost never stick around for four years anymore. But along the way, Hodge promised his mother that he wouldn't leave NC State without a degree.
It was a promise that he kept.
A young Julius Hodge once made another promise, a promise to himself: One day he'd do whatever was necessary to become good enough to play under the bright lights of an NBA arena against the best players in the world.
His time has come to keep that promise as well.
