After two seasons as a Santa Clara University men’s basketball assistant coach, former NBA first-round draft pick Julius Hodge is joining the San Jose State University men’s basketball staff in a similar capacity. Jean Prioleau, the Spartans head coach, made the announcement.
San Jose State will be Hodge’s third position in a blossoming coaching career that started at the University of Buffalo in 2015 as the director of player development. In his one season with the Bulls, Buffalo recorded a 20-win season for the sixth time in school history, successfully defended its Mid-American Conference championship and played in the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history.
Hodge then joined his former college coach Herb Sendak at Santa Clara University as an assistant coach. In his first season at Santa Clara, the Broncos produced their first winning record in four seasons.
“We are extremely excited to have Julius in our program. He played three years in the NBA and he’s well connected around the country. He understands the game of basketball and more importantly, he understands the level of commitment needed to move our program forward. He’s a very well-rounded coach,” said San Jose State head coach Jean Prioleau.
The 2005 North Carolina State University graduate was a two-time All-American, the 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Year and a two-time All-ACC player. He was a second-team consensus All-America as a junior and an Associated Press honorable mention All-America as a senior.
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Hodge was a first-round draft choice of the Denver Nuggets and the 20th overall selection in the 2005 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft. He played for the Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA and throughout Europe, Asia and Australia before embarking on a coaching career.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with someone that has the background, character and leadership ability of Jean Prioleau,” said Hodge. “Coach Prioleau is unmatched in his ability to relate, connect and empower young men in their quest to reach their full potential. I am really excited to work with our student-athletes and help them become better young men and achieve a new level of success on the court.”
For the new San Jose State assistant coach, he is reacquainting himself with the Spartans. In his second major college game of his freshman year at North Carolina State, Hodge was a starter in the Wolfpack’s win over San Jose State in the 2001-02 season-opening BCA Tournament in Raleigh, N.C.
http://www.sjsuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/062618aad.html
