Before the shooting that left him in the hospital Saturday, this had been a quiet year for Julius Hodge on the basketball court.
The first-round NBA draft pick, taken 20th overall in June, has averaged 0.9 points in 14 games with the Denver Nuggets. He has been healthy but has not played in 32 games this season while with the team.
Hodge did make progress after the team sent him to Denver’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Austin Toros. He averaged 17.7 points and 5.6 rebounds in 15 games with them.
Coach George Karl praised Hodge’s eagerness to accept the move.
“I think he’s taken his rookie year, basically being at the bottom of the totem pole, real well,” Karl said.
“He wanted to go down to Austin,” Karl said. “A lot of rookies don’t want to be demoted. He wanted to go play, which I really respected. In general, he’s gotten better.
“His NBA season is probably going to be the summer league. I think he’s ready for that. He’s ambitious to try to see if he can play next year.”
After guard Earl Boykins broke two bones in his left hand, Hodge returned to the Nuggets on March 16, mainly to provide the team with an extra guard during practice.
Forward Kenyon Martin said Hodge is a good guy.
“He’s a great kid,” the forward said. “Quiet, liked to have fun. Don’t bother nobody. He’s not a jerk to people.”
