Wednesday Where Are They Now?: Julius Hodge, NC State

Ever wonder what happened to those college stars that couldn't catch on in the NBA? The guys that put up the great numbers or the guys that left early, and were never heard from again? Every Wednesday, we at BIAH will take a look at a former college star that never made it in the NBA, and we will update you on where he is playing or what he is doing. We're guessing the results will surprise you. To request a player, hit us up on twitter @ballinisahabit or via email at contactbiah@gmail.com.

Julius Hodge, NC State:

Coming out of basketball powerhouse St. Raymond's in The Bronx, Hodge was a can't miss prospect. A lanky, 6'7" wing that had the skills of a point guard. A McDonald's all-american and top five recruit nationally, Hodge eventually decided on attending NC State, where he would become one of my least favorite college basketball players.


As a freshman, Hodge had an immediate impact for the Wolfpack, becoming their second leading scorer -- and the ACC's leading freshman scorer -- at 10.7 ppg. With Hodge on the roster, and despite losing Damien Wilkins and Kenny Inge from the roster the year before, Hodge was able to help lead NC State the the NCAA Tournament and a 21-11 record in 2002, a big improvement on their 13-16 season the year before.

As a sophomore, Hodge really started to come into his own. He averaged 17.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, and 3.5 apg, and while NC State struggled to an 18-13 finish, the Wolfpack made a run to the finals of the ACC tournament, got an at-large bid to the big dance and Hodge earned a spot on the all-ACC first team. NC State was knocked out of the second round of the tournament, however.

Hodge's junior season was his best ever. The 18.2 ppg and his shooting percentages were the highest of his career. The 6.4 ppg and 3.8 apg he averaged were his best to night. It was enough to get Hodge a nod as a consensus second team all-american. But once again Hodge was bounced in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

He decided to return for his senior season, and while Hodge saw his numbers take a hit, he firmly entrenched himself in the mind of every UConn fan in the country. In the second round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament, Hodge answered a game-tying bucket by Charlie Villanueva by making Rudy Gay fall, then picking up an and-one bucket at the rim when Ed Nelson tried to take a charge, sending the Wolfpack to the Sweet 16. It hurts to watch.

Hodge would go on to get picked by the Nuggets with 20th overall, but he was never really able to latch on in the NBA. He played just 14 games in 2005-2006, getting just 33 total minutes, before his season was cut short. In April of 2006, Hodge was shot when another car pulled alongside his on the highway in Denver at 2am, after Hodge had left a club. He was shot in the leg, but made it to the hospital in time and made a full recovery.

He wouldn't play anymore that season, and the following year bounced between the NBA and the NBDL, while also being traded midway through the season. The following summer he had a tryout with the Sonics, but ended up signing with Cimberio Varese in Italy in August of 2007.

Once again, Hodge spent the 2007-2008 season bouncing between teams. He transferred from Cimberio Varese to Legea Scafati, a fellow Italian Serie A member, before signing with the Adelaide 36ers later in the season. Once the 36ers season was over, he returned to the States to once again play in the NBDL.

Hodge got a shot with the Nets the following summer, but once fall came around, he was back in Australia with Adelaide. But after a dispute over payment, Hodge unceremoniously left the team. He would finish the season out in France with Besancon.

Hodge returned to Australia, playing for Adelaide's rival, the Melbourne Tigers. During his first trip to play at Adelaide on December 7th, Hodge spent much of the game being taunted and booed by the crowd. At the end, when the Tigers won, Hodge created quite an uproar by stamping on the 36ers' logo at center court (video here).

Next season, Hodge will head to China, where he will play for Guangzhou Free Man.