Julius Hodge Taking His Talents to Mispec Beach
February 4, 2013 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Saint John Riptide News Release
(Saint John, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats, presented by Rogers, are pleased to announce the addition of 1st Round NBA Draft Pick, Julius Hodge (pending FIBA clearance).
Hodge, a 6'7 do-it-all swingman, was a first round selection of the Denver Nuggets in the 2005 NBA Draft after a standout career at North Carolina State.
At N.C. State he was named All-ACC First team both his junior and senior years. As a senior he averaged 17 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.
After several years in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks, and a couple of stints in the NBA Development League, Hodge headed overseas - playing in Italy, Australia, France, Venezuela, China, Iran, Belarus, Vietnam, and Puerto Rico.
As a comparison, in the NBA Development league in 2008 (with the Albequerque Thunderbirds), he averaged 23.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game.
"Julius is one of the best players to ever come out of the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference). He has played at the highest level - in the NBA - and as well in some of the top leagues around the world," explained Mill Rats President & General Manager Ian McCarthy. "He is extremely versatile and talented and we expect him to fit in nicely with our other core players."
Current Mill Rat star guard Anthony Anderson has a connection to Hodge as the two did battle several times in college as UMass played out of conference against N.C. State twice with the two players in uniform.
The recent additions of Kenny Jones, Kevin Francis, and Taneiko Robinson have contributed a combined 34.6 points and 14.3 rebounds per game. The Mill Rats are undefeated (4-0) since the trio suited up together.
Hodge will have been the ninth former NBA player to suit up in the National Basketball League of Canada in two seasons.
Hodge is expected to be in uniform when the Mill Rats return home on February 8th at 7pm to host the #1 ranked London Lightning. Come on out and show your spirit by packing Harbour Station!
Flex and BOGO Packs are also available! Stop by the Mill Rats Fan Zone located in Brunswick Square or the Harbour Station Box Office for more info!
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National Basketball League of Canada Stories from February 4, 2013
- Julius Hodge Taking His Talents to Mispec Beach - Saint John Riptide
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