Craig Hodges
Craig Anthony Hodges (born June 27, 1960 in Park Forest, Illinois) is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA for 10 seasons and led the league in 3-point shooting percentage three times.[1] He won two NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls, and along with Larry Bird, is only one of two players to win three consecutive Three Point Contests at the NBA All-Star Game, winning the competition in 1990, 1991, and 1992.[2] Hodges also holds the Three Point Contest records for the most consecutive shots made with 19, set in 1991, and the most points scored in a single round at 25, set in 1986.[3] He is currently an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Playing career
Hodges played college basketball at Long Beach State from 1978 to 1982. He played under Tex Winter, who later coached him again as an assistant to Phil Jackson with the Chicago Bulls.[4]
During his career in the NBA, Hodges played for the San Diego Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, and Chicago Bulls. He played for the Bulls from 1988 to 1992, and helped win two NBA Championships in 1991 and 1992.
Hodges competed in the Three Point Contest at the 1993 NBA All-Star Weekend as a free agent to defend his 1992 title, although he was waived by the Bulls after the 1992 season and the NBA initially left him off the field of contestants as he was not on an NBA roster at the time.[5]
Later, Hodges played professionally in Italy with Clear Cantu, and after that, coached college basketball at Chicago State University and is now shooting coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Political activism
When the Chicago Bulls visited the White House after winning the 1992 NBA Championship, Hodges dressed in a dashiki and delivered a hand-written letter addressed to then President George H. W. Bush, expressing his discontent at the administration's treatment of poor and minorities.[6]
Hodges also criticized his Bulls teammate Michael Jordan for not using his fame to draw attention to social and political issues, and said Jordan was "bailing out" for not being politically outspoken.[7]
In 1996, Hodges filed a $40 million lawsuit against the NBA and its then 29 teams, claiming they blackballed him for his association with Louis Farrakhan and criticism of "African-American professional athletes who failed to use their considerable wealth and influence to assist the poor and disenfranchised."[8] After he was waived by the Bulls in 1992, he did not receive an offer or a tryout fom a single NBA team, even though he was only 32 years old and still able to contribute to contenders. The lawsuit claimed that Bulls assistant coach Jim Cleamons told him that the team was troubled by his criticism of players' lack of involvement in inner-city communities.[6] The suit also claimed Billy McKinney, the director of player personnel for the Seattle SuperSonics initially showed interest in Hodges in 1992, and then shortly after backed away, telling Hodges he could do nothing because "brothers have families, if you know what I mean." While a Bulls official said Hodges was waived as he was getting old and could not play defense, head coach Phil Jackson said, "I also found it strange that not a single team called to inquire about him. Usually, I get at least one call about a player we've decided not to sign. And yes, he couldn't play much defense, but a lot of guys in the league can't, but not many can shoot from his range, either." [8]
Trivia
He is the father of Jibril Hodges who is a former guard at Long Beach State University who now plays for the Butte Daredevils of the CBA.
References
- ^ Berkow, Ira (1996-02-18). "BASKETBALL;Still Searching For the Truth". New York Times.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Larry Bird bio". NBA.com.
- ^ "Shootout Records". NBA.com.
- ^ "49ers Sign Jibril Hodges". www.LongBeachState.com. 2002-05-14.
- ^ "Craig Hodges added to three-point field - Hodges will compete in NBA three-point shooting contest despite his not being on any NBA team". Jet. February 15, 1993.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Bondy, Flip (1996-12-11). "HODGES STILL FIGHTS SYSTEM". New York Daily News.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Rhoden, William C. (1992-06-05). "BASKETBALL; Hodges Criticizes Jordan For His Silence on Issues". New York Times.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Berkow, Ira (1996-12-25). "The Case Of Hodges Vs. the N.B.A." New York Times.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)