Craig Hodges facts for kids
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Hodges in 1991
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 27, 1960 Park Forest, Illinois, U.S. |
| High school | Rich East (Park Forest, Illinois) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Long Beach State (1978–1982) |
| NBA Draft | 1982 / Round: 3 / Pick: 48th overall |
| Selected by the San Diego Clippers | |
| Pro career | 1982–1998 |
| Coaching career | 1994–present |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1982–1984 | San Diego Clippers |
| 1984–1988 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1988 | Phoenix Suns |
| 1988–1992 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1993 | Shampoo Clear Cantù |
| 1994–1995 | Galatasaray |
| 1995–1996 | Rockford Lightning |
| 1997–1998 | Jämtland Ambassadors Östersund |
| As coach: | |
| 1994–1996 | Chicago State |
| 2005–2011 | Los Angeles Lakers (assistant) |
| 2013–2014 | Halifax Rainmen |
| 2014–2015 | Westchester Knicks (assistant) |
| 2015 | Westchester Knicks (interim HC) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As assistant coach:
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 5,940 (8.5 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 937 (1.3 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,769 (2.5 apg) |
Craig Anthony Hodges (born June 27, 1960) is an American former professional basketball player. He also worked as a coach. He played in the NBA for 10 seasons.
Craig Hodges was known for his amazing 3-point shooting. He led the league in 3-point shooting percentage three times. He won two NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. He is one of only two players to win three straight Three Point Contests. He won these contests in 1990, 1991, and 1992. Hodges also holds records in the Three Point Contest. He made 19 shots in a row in 1991. He scored 25 points in a single round in 1986.
Playing Career
Craig Hodges was born in Park Forest, Illinois. He played college basketball at Long Beach State from 1978 to 1982. He played for coach Tex Winter. Winter later became an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls. Hodges played for the Bulls when Winter was there.
In the NBA, Hodges played for several teams. These included the San Diego Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, and Chicago Bulls. On December 12, 1985, Hodges scored a career-high 29 points for the Bucks. He even made a long 3-point shot to force overtime in that game.
During the 1986 playoffs, Hodges helped the Bucks win against the Philadelphia 76ers. He scored 24 points in the final game of that series. He also made the winning shot. The Bucks then lost to the Boston Celtics.
Hodges joined the Chicago Bulls in 1988. He helped the Bulls win two NBA Championships. These were in 1991 and 1992. After the 1991–92 season, the Bulls released him. He then played a season in Italy for Clear Cantù.
Three Point Contest
Craig Hodges was a star in the NBA All-Star Three Point Contest. He took part in the first eight contests from 1986 to 1993. He won the contest three times in a row: 1990, 1991, and 1992. He also reached the final round two other times. He lost to Larry Bird in 1986 and to Dale Ellis in 1989.
Hodges set records in the Three Point Contest. He made 19 shots in a row in 1991. This is still a record. He also scored 25 points in one round in 1986. This ties him with Jason Kapono for the most points in a single round.
In 1993, Hodges competed in the Three Point Contest as a free agent. He was not on an NBA team at the time. The NBA first said he couldn't play. But they later let him defend his title. He wore a simple "NBA" jersey. He was eliminated in the semi-final round that year.
Three Point Contest Wins:
- 1990: Winner
- 1991: Winner
- 1992: Winner
Coaching Career
After his playing career, Craig Hodges became a coach. From 1994 to 1996, he coached college basketball at Chicago State University.
In 2005, Hodges joined the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a special assistant coach under Phil Jackson. He helped players improve their shooting skills. His contract with the Lakers ended in 2011.
Hodges also coached the Halifax Rainmen in Canada for a short time. While coaching there, he was invited to play basketball in North Korea. This was part of a "basketball diplomacy" effort. However, he could not go because his flight was delayed. He said he wanted to go as a "goodwill gesture" for sports.
In 2015, he was an assistant coach for the Westchester Knicks. He later became the team's interim head coach for the last four games of the season. Currently, Hodges is the head coach at Rich East High School in his hometown.
Speaking Out for Change
Craig Hodges was also known for speaking his mind. He wanted to see positive changes in the world.
When the Chicago Bulls visited the White House in 1991, Hodges had a message. He gave a letter to President George H. W. Bush. In the letter, he shared his concerns about how the poor and minority groups were being treated.
Hodges also encouraged other famous athletes to use their influence. He believed they should speak up about important social issues. He once asked his Bulls teammate Michael Jordan to use his fame to help. Hodges wanted athletes to support communities and speak out for fairness.
In 1996, Hodges filed a lawsuit. He claimed that the NBA and its teams treated him unfairly. He believed this was because of his strong opinions. He felt he was being punished for speaking out. Even his former coach, Phil Jackson, said it was strange that no other team called about Hodges after the Bulls released him. Jackson noted that Hodges was a great shooter, even if his defense wasn't the best.
Craig Hodges is the father of three sons: Jamaal, Noah, and Jibril. Jibril also played basketball at Long Beach State.
See also
In Spanish: Craig Hodges para niños
