Saigon Heat release former NBA player Hodge
Julius Hodge (R) in action for the Saigon Heat during an earlier ABL game. The Heat have released Hodge citing differences and challenges of playing in the region.Picture: Courtesy of ABL
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - THE Saigon Heat have dropped Julius Hodge despite his scorching performances which have propelled him to top the points leader board of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).
In an official statement on behalf of the Saigon Heat, General Manager Connor Nguyen has confirmed that Julius Hodge has been released from the squad for the remainder of the season due to difficulties fitting in because of the differences in the environment and the challenges that come with playing professional basketball in this region.
The Heat Sharpshooter finished his last game with a team high 23 points in a loss to San Miguel 62-85 in front of their home crowd at the Tan Binh Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Feb 11.
Hodge started his ABL campaign by scoring 31 points against the Thailand Slammers.
He scored his season-high 42 points in a loss to the Malaysia Dragons 86-97 at the MABA Stadium Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the Jan 28.
Hodge has played in a lot of different leagues around the world, including the NBA's Denver Nuggets, where he was selected as the 20th pick in the 2005 Draft.
He appeared in 14 games for the Nuggets in the 2005-06 season while averaging only 0.9 points in 2.4 minutes.
Hodge started his first career NBA game in 2007, against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Six days later he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks along with Earl Boykins for Steve Blake.
The Bucks waived him on Feb 7.
Later that year he played for the 2007 Seattle SuperSonics summer league team.
Since then he has also gained experience in other parts of the world, including the Lega Basket Serie A in Italy and the Australian National Basketball League.
Saigon Heat will continue competing in the league with new import Devon Sullivan, who made his debut in their home game at Tan Binh Stadium yesterday against the Bangkok Cobras.
The Saigon Heat's next match-up will see them play host to the Thailand Slammers on the Feb 26.
-- By Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
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