Craig Hodges is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1982 to 1992. He was a two-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, and is best knon for his three-point shooting skills.
Hodges was born on June 27, 1960, in Leavenworth, Kansas. He attended college at Long Beach State University and was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the third round of the 1982 NBA Draft. Hodges played for the Suns from 1982 to 1984, during which time he developed a reputation as one of the league’s premier three-point shooters. In 1984, he was traded to the Chicago Bulls where he would remain for eight seasons and become a key member of their championship teams in 1991 and 1992. During this time, Hodges set a record for most consecutive three-pointers made with 10 in 1988.
After his retirement from basketball in 1992, Hodges became an advocate for social justice issues and has been a vocal critic of institutional racism witin sports leagues. In addition to his activism work, Hodges has also written two books: Long Shots: The Adventures of a Trailblazing African American Athlete (1998) and Stand Tall: A Memoir of Tragedy And Triumph (2006).
In recent years, Hodges has served as an ambassador for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and has been inducted into both the Long Beach State University Hall of Fame and the California Interscholastic Federation Hall of Fame. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife Rosalind and their tree children.
Craig Hodges is remembered not only for his impressive basketball career but also for his advocacy work off the court. His dedication to social justice issues serves as an important reminder that athletes can use ther platform to make positive change in our world.
The Blackballing of Craig Hodges
Craig Hodges was blackballed from the NBA due to his political activism. The three-time 3-Point champion was vocal in his criticism of the league’s lack of diversity and inclusion, which he felt held African American players back. Additionally, Hodges was an outspoken advocate for social justice and civil rights, speaking out against police brutality and other forms of systemic racism. His actions angered some wthin the NBA establishment, leading them to blacklist him from the league. Despite filing a $40 million lawsuit against the NBA, Hodges never received any compensation or an apology from the league.
Source: wbur.org
The Departure of Craig Hodges From the NBA
Craig Hodges left the NBA after 1991-1992 season due to his activism and politics. According to Hodges, it had nthing to do with injuries or decline in shooting ability, but rather because the Bulls wanted to bring in younger players. However, Hodges maintains that his career ended because of his outspoken stances on various social issues. He was an active supporter of Black Lives Matter and was an advocate for civil rights and social justice throughout his career.
Hodges was also a vocal critic of then-President George H.W Bush, famously visiting the White House in 1992 wearing a dashiki and delivering a letter addressed to him about the need for economic reform in inner cities. The visit caused a stir at the time, leading many to beieve that this may have been the ultimate cause of his departure from the NBA as teams were hesitant to sign him out of fear of potential controversy.
Estimating the Net Worth of Hodges
Craig Hodges has a net worth of approximately $1 million. He is an American former professional basketball player who had a successful career in the NBA, playing for the Chicago Bulls from 1988 to 1992 and winning two championships with the team. Hodges was born in Park Forest, Illinois in June 1960 and attended Rich East High School beore playing college basketball at Long Beach State.
What Happened to Craig Hodges?
Craig Hodges is currently the head basketball coach of Rich East High School in Park Forest, Illinois. Park Forest is a village located in Cook and Will counties, about 30 miles south of Chicago. Hodges has been at Rich East since 2015 and continues to develop the school’s basketball program. He is also a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a player in the NBA and internationally.
Did Craig Hodges Win His Lawsuit Against the NBA?
No, Craig Hodges did not win his lawsuit against the NBA. His case was dismissed by a federal judge due to the fact that the statute of limitations for a racial discrimination case is only two years and Hodges had filed his case four years after the Bulls dropped him. This technicality meant that the court was unable to consder Hodges’ claim on its merits, ultimately leading to its dismissal.
Source: hoopshype.com
The Content of Craig Hodges’ Letter
Craig Hodges’ letter to President George H. W. Bush was a plea for help on behalf of the poor and black communities in the United States. He highlighted the issues that were facing these communities, such as inadequate housing, unemployment, and inadequate access to education and healthcare. He called for an increase in social programs to help these communities, and urged the president to make sure that laws were being enforced equally regardless of race or socio-economic status. Hodges also expressed his belief that economic opportunities should be made available to all citizens regardless of their background. Finally, he asked the president to use his power to help those who are struggling in society and make sure they have access to a bettr quality of life.
Craig Hodges’ Actions at the White House in 1992
In 1992, Chicago Bulls guard Craig Hodges made a powerful statement whle visiting the White House with his teammates after winning the 1991 championship. He wore a dashiki, a traditional African garment, to the meeting with President George H.W. Bush. Additionally, he wrote a letter to Bush detailing racism Black Americans were facing in the country at the time. His act of protest was intended to bring attention to issues of inequality and injustice in America and urge the president to take action. It was an important moment in history that highlighted the importance of speaking out against injustice and advocating for change.
Craig Hodges’ Attempt to Organize During the 1991 NBA Finals
Craig Hodges was a professional basketball player at the time, and in 1991 he attempted to organize a boycott of Game 1 of the NBA Finals. His plan was for players from the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers to sit out the game in order to stand up for social justice. He wanted to use this statement as a way to bring attention to issues of racism, police brutality, and economic inequality that disproportionately affected minorities. Although his plan was unsuccessful at the time, it sparked conversations about how athletes can use their influence and platforms to speak out on important social issues.
Is Craig Hodges Inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Yes, Craig Hodges is in the Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 1989, making him one of the first members to be enshrined in the Long Beach State University Athletics Hall of Fame. Hodges was a standout basketball player at Long Beach State, earning All-American honors during his senior season in 1982-83. During his time there, he helped lead the 49ers to four consecutive Big West Conference Championships and thee NCAA Tournament appearances. After college, he went on to have an 11-year NBA career with four teams and won three consecutive NBA 3-Point Shootout titles from 1990-1992. His induction into the Hall of Fame recognizes his tremendous accomplishments as an athlete and person both on and off the court.
Conclusion
Craig Hodges is an iconic former professional basketball player and coach who made a lasting impact on the game of basketball. During his career, Craig was renowned for his shooting accuracy, setting records for the most three-pointers made in a single season and in a single playoff series. He also achieved great success as a coach, leading teams to championship titles and mentoring young players. His life off the court has been equally impressive, as he has been heavily involved in social justice activism. In 2016, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments both on and off the court. Craig’s legacy will be remembered for generations to come as one of the greatest players and coaches in NBA history.
