Rodney Hood facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rodney Hood

Hood with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2019
Personal information
Born	(1992-10-20) October 20, 1992 (age 32) Meridian, Mississippi, U.S.
High school	Meridian (Meridian, Mississippi)
Listed height	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight	208 lb (94 kg)
Career information
College	Mississippi State (2011–2012) Duke (2013–2014)
NBA Draft	2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 23rd overall
Selected by the Utah Jazz
Pro career	2014–2024
Career history
2014–2018	Utah Jazz
2018–2019	Cleveland Cavaliers
2019–2021	Portland Trail Blazers
2021	Toronto Raptors
2021–2022	Milwaukee Bucks
2022	Los Angeles Clippers
2024	Memphis Hustle
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-ACC (2014) SEC All-Freshman Team (2012) Mississippi Mr. Basketball (2011)

Rodney Michael Hood, born on October 20, 1992, is a former American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for both Mississippi State and Duke University. After college, he joined the NBA, being drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2014. He also played for teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Clippers. Rodney Hood announced his retirement from basketball in November 2024.

High School Basketball Career

Rodney Hood went to Meridian High School in Meridian, Mississippi. In his junior year (2009–10), he was a star player. He averaged over 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He led his team, the Wildcats, all the way to the state championship finals. They played well but lost to Starkville by a score of 57–51.

In his senior year (2010–11), Hood's performance was even better. He averaged nearly 25 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks per game. He helped Meridian achieve an amazing 29–2 record and win the Class 6A state championship. In the semifinals, he scored 27 points against Starkville, winning 72–43. In the championship game against Vicksburg, he scored 24 points, leading his team to a 62–47 victory.

Rodney was considered one of the top high school basketball players in the country. In October 2010, he decided to play college basketball at Mississippi State University.

Fun fact: Rodney Hood's childhood neighbor was Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams. He didn't even know this until 2021!

College Basketball Career

As a freshman at Mississippi State in the 2011–12 season, Hood started most of the games he played. He was named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman Team. He averaged over 10 points, almost 5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. He shot well from the field and from three-point range.

In July 2012, Rodney decided to transfer to Duke University. Due to NCAA rules, he had to sit out the 2012–13 season. Even though he couldn't play in games, he helped his new team improve during practices. He quickly became known as one of Duke's best players.

In his second year at Duke, for the 2013–14 season, he was chosen as a team captain. Rodney, who is six feet eight inches tall, played in 35 games and started in 33 of them. He averaged over 16 points, almost 4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. He was very accurate with his shots, especially from long distance. Because of his great performance, he earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) honors.

In April 2014, Rodney Hood decided to enter the NBA draft. This meant he would skip his last two years of college eligibility to become a professional player.

Professional Basketball Career

Playing for the Utah Jazz (2014–2018)

On June 26, 2014, the Utah Jazz picked Rodney Hood as the 23rd player in the 2014 NBA draft. He signed his first professional contract with the team on July 11. On March 16, 2015, he had his best game of the season, scoring 24 points. He shot very well, helping the Jazz beat the Charlotte Hornets 94–66. This was their sixth win in a row!

In the 2015–16 season, Hood became a regular starter, playing in all 79 games. He was a key player for the team's offense. He scored double-digit points in 61 games and scored 20 or more points in 15 games. On January 2, 2016, he scored a career-high 32 points against the Memphis Grizzlies, helping the Jazz win 92–87 in overtime.

In the first game of the 2016–17 season, on October 25, Hood scored 26 points. He made some exciting plays, but the Jazz lost to the Portland Trail Blazers 113–104. On December 16, 2016, he made his first game-winning shot in the NBA. He hit a three-pointer with less than a second left, securing a 103–100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. He finished that game with 15 points. He scored a season-high 27 points on January 13, 2017, in a big 110–77 win against the Detroit Pistons. On March 5, he set a new season-best with 28 points as the Jazz beat the Sacramento Kings 110–109 in overtime.

In the 2017–18 season, Hood scored a season-high 25 points on October 30, 2017. He helped the Jazz come back to defeat the Dallas Mavericks 104–89. On November 18, he scored 31 points coming off the bench in a 125–85 victory over the Orlando Magic. Rodney Hood was traded before he finished this season with Utah.

Joining the Cleveland Cavaliers (2018–2019)

On February 8, 2018, Rodney Hood was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-team deal. In his first game for the Cavaliers three days later, he scored 15 points. This helped them win 121–99 against the Boston Celtics. The Cavaliers made it all the way to the 2018 NBA Finals that year. However, they lost to the Golden State Warriors in four games.

On September 10, 2018, Hood signed again with the Cavaliers. On October 30, he scored a season-high 26 points in a 136–114 win over the Atlanta Hawks. This victory helped Cleveland end a six-game losing streak.

Playing for the Portland Trail Blazers (2019–2021)

On February 4, 2019, Hood was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. On March 3, 2019, he scored a season-high 27 points, all in the second half, helping his team win 118–108 against the Charlotte Hornets. In the playoffs, during Game 6 of the Trail Blazers' series against the Denver Nuggets, Hood scored a playoff career-high 25 points. His team won that game 119–108. For the third year in a row, Hood's team was eliminated from the playoffs in a four-game sweep by the Golden State Warriors. On December 6, 2019, the Trail Blazers announced that Hood would miss the rest of the 2019–2020 season. He had torn his left Achilles tendon during a game.

Time with the Toronto Raptors (2021)

On March 25, 2021, Rodney Hood was traded to the Toronto Raptors. He was traded along with Gary Trent Jr. in exchange for Norman Powell. On August 3, he was released by the Raptors.

With the Milwaukee Bucks (2021–2022)

On August 6, 2021, Hood signed a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. On December 12, he scored a season-high 14 points, making all his shots, in a 112–97 win over the New York Knicks.

Joining the Los Angeles Clippers (2022)

On February 10, 2022, Hood was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. This was part of a big trade involving four different teams.

Playing for the Memphis Hustle (2024)

On February 11, 2024, Hood joined the Memphis Hustle. This team is part of the NBA G League, which is like a development league for the NBA.

National Team Career

In July 2016, Rodney Hood was chosen to join the United States men's select team. This team helps train with the main 2016 Olympic team.

In November 2022, Hood was again selected to represent Team USA. He played in the second round of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification games.

Career Statistics

NBA Regular Season

NBA Playoffs

College Statistics

Personal Life

Rodney Hood married Richa Jackson on July 29, 2016, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

They have three children together. Their first child, a son, was born on January 3, 2016. On April 18, 2018, Richa gave birth to twins, a son named Rich and a daughter named Riley.

Images for kids

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  Hood with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2019

See also

In Spanish: Rodney Hood para niños