Julius Hodge facts for kids
Hodge with Paris-Levallois in 2012
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| Lincoln Lions | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | November 18, 1983 Harlem, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American / Antiguan |
| High school | St. Raymond (Bronx, New York) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | NC State (2001–2005) |
| NBA Draft | 2005 / Round: 1 / Pick: 20th overall |
| Selected by the Denver Nuggets | |
| Pro career | 2005–2015 |
| Coaching career | 2015–present |
| League | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 2005–2007 | Denver Nuggets |
| 2006 | →Austin Toros |
| 2006–2007 | →Colorado 14ers |
| 2007 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2007 | Albuquerque Thunderbirds |
| 2007 | Cimberio Varese |
| 2007 | Legea Scafati |
| 2007–2009 | Adelaide 36ers |
| 2009–2010 | Melbourne Tigers |
| 2010 | Trotamundos de Carabobo |
| 2010 | Guangzhou Free Man |
| 2010–2011 | Petrochimi Bandar Imam |
| 2011 | BK Minsk-2006 |
| 2011 | Jiangsu Tongxi |
| 2011–2012 | Saigon Heat |
| 2012 | Caciques de Humacao |
| 2012 | Marinos de Anzoátegui |
| 2012 | Vaqueros de Bayamón |
| 2012–2013 | Paris-Levallois |
| 2013 | Saint John Mill Rats |
| 2014 | Champville SC |
| 2014 | Cheshire Phoenix |
| As coach: | |
| 2015–2016 | Buffalo (dir. player personnel) |
| 2016–2018 | Santa Clara (assistant) |
| 2018–2021 | San Jose State (assistant) |
| 2021–2024 | Little Rock (assistant) |
| 2024–present | Lincoln (PA) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Julius Melvin Hodge (born November 18, 1983) is an American-Antiguan basketball coach and former professional player. He is currently the head coach for the Lincoln Lions men's basketball team. Julius grew up in Harlem, New York. He played college basketball for the NC State Wolfpack.
In the 2005 NBA draft, the Denver Nuggets picked him 20th overall. Julius was named the ACC Men's Basketball Player of the Year in the 2003–04 season. He finished his college career by leading his team to the "Sweet 16" in the NCAA tournament.
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Early Life and Basketball Dreams
Julius Hodge was born in Harlem, a neighborhood in Manhattan, New York. He grew up near Yankee Stadium. His mother, Mary Hodge, worked two jobs to support Julius and his two siblings.
Julius fell in love with basketball when he was five years old. His father took him to a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden. There, Magic Johnson smiled at him from the court, and Julius was hooked. His older brother, Steven, was a big role model and also played basketball in college. Steven even named Julius after the famous basketball player Julius Erving.
High School Basketball Star
Julius played high school basketball at St. Raymond High School for Boys in the Bronx, New York. By his senior year in 2001, he was a top player. He was part of the McDonald's All-American Team. He was also named the New York State Mr. Basketball.
Julius set a school record by scoring 684 points in his senior season. He averaged 24.5 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals per game. Many people were surprised when he chose to attend North Carolina State University for college.
College Career Highlights
Freshman Year Success
As a freshman at NC State, Julius was the best-scoring freshman in the ACC conference. He averaged 10.7 points per game. He also earned the "Lorenzo Charles Offensive Rebounding Award" in 2002. He was the only player on his team with multiple "double-doubles" (scoring double digits in two different stats like points and rebounds) that season.
Becoming an All-ACC Player
In his second year (2002–03), Julius was chosen for the First Team All-ACC. He made history by recording the first-ever "triple-double" (double digits in three stats) for the Wolfpack team. He was named ACC Player of the Week after leading his team to wins against tough rivals like Duke and North Carolina.
NCAA Tournament and Graduation
During the 2005 NCAA tournament, Julius made a game-winning shot against UConn. After his senior season, he entered the NBA draft. However, he stayed at NC State to finish his degree in communications.
Professional Basketball Journey
NBA Experience
In the 2005 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets selected Julius Hodge as the 20th overall pick. He played in 14 games for the Nuggets during the 2005–06 season. In January 2007, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. He was later released by the Bucks.
Playing Overseas
Julius Hodge played for many teams around the world. In 2007, he signed with Italian teams Cimberio Varese and Legea Scafati. He then moved to Australia.
Adelaide 36ers
In December 2007, Julius joined the Adelaide 36ers in Australia's NBL. He quickly became a star player. He won the league's Player of the Week award three times in a row. He also became the first 36er since 1994 to record a triple-double. Even though he only played half the season, he was named to the All-NBL Third Team.
Melbourne Tigers
In November 2009, Julius signed with the Melbourne Tigers in Australia. He played well in his debut game, scoring 22 points.
Around the World
Julius continued his journey playing basketball in many different countries:
- In 2010, he played in Venezuela for Trotamundos de Carabobo.
- He then moved to China to play for Guangzhou Free Man and later Jiangsu Tongxi. With Jiangsu, he was named the All-Chinese NBL Import Player of the Year.
- He also played in Iran for Petrochimi Bandar Imam BC.
- In 2011, he played in Belarus for BC Tsmoki-Minsk.
- He joined the Saigon Heat in Vietnam in December 2011.
- In 2012, he played in Puerto Rico for teams like Caciques de Humacao and Vaqueros de Bayamón.
- In November 2012, he joined Paris-Levallois Basket in France.
- His last professional team was the Saint John Mill Rats in Canada in 2013.
National Team Play
In 2011, Julius Hodge played for the Antigua and Barbuda national basketball team. He competed in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation Championship.
Life After Playing Basketball
After his playing career, Julius Hodge moved into coaching and player development.
- From 2015 to 2016, he was the Director of Player Development for the Buffalo Bulls.
- In 2016, he became an assistant coach at Santa Clara University.
- From 2018 to 2021, he served as an assistant coach at San Jose State.
- In July 2021, he became an assistant coach at Little Rock.
- As of 2024, he is the head coach for the Lincoln Lions men's basketball team.
Personal Life
Julius Hodge has faced challenges in his life. In 2006, he was involved in a difficult incident where he was injured. The case was never solved.
During his time playing overseas, Julius always returned to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he played college basketball. As of 2013, Julius is married and has two children. He enjoys watching movies.
See also
In Spanish: Julius Hodge para niños
