BIO: Julius Hodge was born in Harlem, New York, and rose to prominence as a high school basketball phenom at St. Raymond High School for Boys in the Bronx, operated by the De La Salle Christian Brothers. During his senior season, Hodge established himself as one of the nation’s elite prospects, averaging 24.5 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals per game while scoring 684 points—setting a new single-season scoring record at the school.

His outstanding performances earned him a slew of national accolades in 2001, including selection to the McDonald’s All-American Team, First-Team Parade All-American honors, and New York State Mr. Basketball. He was also named the New York Daily News Player of the Year and was selected to the New York All-Metro Squad. Sports Illustrated named him their Old Spice Athlete of the Month during the season. Ranked as the top shooting guard in the country by ESPN and the fifth-best player nationally, Hodge surprised many in recruiting circles by choosing to play college basketball at North Carolina State University over Syracuse University.

After visiting a nightclub on April 8, 2006, Hodge was on Interstate 76 in North Denver around 2:00 a.m. when another vehicle pulled alongside his and fired several shots. Hodge was told he came within 5 minutes of bleeding to death. The case has yet to be solved.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Julius Hodge made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 24 years of age. He scored six points in his first game.

In the 2007 off-season, Adelaide chose not to re-sign Adrian Majstrovich, Brett Wheeler, and Marcus Timmons, while star import Willie Farley was replaced by Mike Chappell. Another significant departure was Nick Horvath (to South Dragons). Key additions included Adam Ballinger (via Wollongong) and veteran guard Brad Davidson (via Singapore), who re-joined the NBL after previous stints with Cairns and Singapore.

Adelaide 36ers coach Joey Wright brought in Ballinger (22.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 30 games) to strengthen the frontcourt after receiving a recommendation from NBL legend Cal Bruton, who had originally intended to sign Ballinger for the Hunter Pirates had that team continued beyond the Canberra Cannons’ closure. Wright praised Ballinger’s versatility early in the season, stating, “I think he’s somewhere between [Scott] Fisher and [Tim] Dillon – he’s got Fisher’s strength and Dillon’s touch. He’s got that three-point range,” after observing Ballinger’s first few sessions with the club.

Under returning head coach Phil Smyth, the 36ers opened with wins over Wollongong (108–101) and the South Dragons (115–108), but struggled to maintain consistency.

Long-time team captain Brett Maher (16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists across 18 games) remained central to Adelaide’s plans despite battling injuries and missing 12 games during the season. A key mid-season decision saw Adelaide reluctantly part ways with injured import Mike Chappell (11.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 15 games). To replace him, they signed Julius Hodge (via Italy) on December 21. Hodge (24.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals across 12 games) made his debut in a 119–114 road win over the South Dragons, contributing 6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Despite initial scepticism, Hodge quickly emerged as a dominant force. Jacob Holmes later recalled, “He was really average… ten weeks later, ‘This guy is the best player in the league.’” Adam Ballinger added, “He was a special player, but a different kind of player. He could not shoot at all, but it didn’t matter… He was a great passer and made other guys better, especially me.”

Hodge earned NBL Player of the Week honours for Round 19 after averaging 27 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, highlighted by a 39-point, 10-rebound, 5-assist outing against Cairns. On February 2, he posted 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists against the Breakers—becoming the first Adelaide player since Robert Rose in 1994 to record a triple-double. He followed it with two more standout games, earning Player of the Week honours in Rounds 20 and 21, making him the first player in league history to claim three consecutive weekly awards. Despite playing only 12 games, he was selected to the All-NBL Third Team.

Ballinger also delivered a standout year, earning All-NBL Second Team honours and finishing fourth in league MVP voting. He was awarded the first of four straight 36ers club MVPs. Other contributors included Brad Davidson (13.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists), Darren Ng (13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists), and veteran Lanard Copeland (9.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists).

Adelaide’s season closed with a final push, notching wins over Cairns (113–104) and Singapore (126–97), with Maher adding 16 points (7–14 FG), 7 rebounds, and 1 assist in the latter. However, their 14–16 record saw them fall one win short of the playoffs behind Gold Coast (15–15).

Despite the excitement generated by Hodge’s arrival, the inconsistency across the year resulted in the 36ers finishing ninth. In response, the club replaced Phil Smyth as head coach and promoted longtime assistant and former player Scott Ninnis for the 2008/09 season.

Adam Ballinger (22.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists) enjoyed an outstanding season, earning the first of four consecutive club MVP awards. He was selected to the All-NBL Second Team, finishing fourth in league MVP voting. Team captain Brett Maher (16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists) was again a crucial figure, contributing significantly, while Brad Davidson (13.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists) and Darren Ng (13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) provided essential scoring depth.

The 36ers’ season included a notable road game against Melbourne on December 19, 2007, where the Tigers honoured former Adelaide star Lanard Copeland by retiring his jersey. Despite strong efforts from Brett Maher (26 points) and David Cooper (18 points), Adelaide fell to Melbourne, who were led by Chris Anstey (29 points) and David Barlow (18 points).

Ultimately, Adelaide’s hopes of reaching the postseason were undone by inconsistency. The team mounted a late push, closing the season with back-to-back wins over Cairns (113–104) and Singapore (126–97). Julius Hodge delivered a strong all-around performance in the finale with 29 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals, while Brett Maher added 16 points and 7 rebounds. Despite the late surge, the 36ers fell just short of the playoffs, finishing ninth with a 14–16 record—one game behind the eighth-placed Gold Coast Blaze (15–15).

The disappointing result led to the club’s decision to replace Phil Smyth as head coach, appointing former player and Smyth’s assistant Scott Ninnis for the subsequent season.

2008/09
Heading into the 2008/09 campaign, the Adelaide 36ers reshaped their roster with a blend of returning faces and fresh recruits. Club veterans Lanard Copeland, Axel Dench, and Neil Mottram announced their retirement, while sharpshooter Darren Ng signed with the Singapore Slingers. Adelaide bolstered its depth by welcoming back Jacob Holmes from the South Dragons, and adding Brad Hill (via South Dragons), Ryan Kersten, and Paora Winitana (both via the New Zealand Breakers).

The season commenced with Adam Ballinger and Mark Tyndale as the team’s imports. Tyndale (13 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists) showed early promise but struggled with consistency, culminating in a 3-point, 7-turnover outing against the South Dragons that led to his release. In search of a spark, Adelaide turned to familiar territory and re-signed former MVP candidate Julius Hodge (26.3 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists), who returned to the NBL after a brief NBA trial with the New Jersey Nets. Negotiations were protracted, with Hodge initially demanding European-level salaries, but he rejoined the team officially on November 15.

Hodge’s return was electric. In Round 10, he claimed NBL Player of the Week honours after averaging 26.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6 assists across two games, including a masterful 27-point, 8-rebound, 8-assist effort against the South Dragons. Boomers coach Brian Goorjian lauded him as “possibly the best player in the league.” Hodge added a second Player of the Week award in Round 15 after pouring in 31 points (13–19 FG) with 8 rebounds in a statement road win over Melbourne.

Despite these highs, his second tenure unravelled quickly. Tensions over delayed payments reached a boiling point in early January, when Hodge failed to show for a key home fixture against Wollongong. Though management believed the issue had been resolved and payments fulfilled, Hodge never returned. His departure created a rift within the team, with confusion and mixed messages filtering through the locker room. The fallout saw Adelaide terminate his contract and move forward with Rod Grizzard (10 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists), who played the final eight games of the season.

Club legend Brett Maher (12.5 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists) led the squad during what would be his farewell season. After injury struggles the previous year, Maher’s influence was felt both on and off the court as he prepared to close out a decorated 526-game career that included three championships. Meanwhile, Ballinger (20.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) continued to thrive in the frontcourt and was again selected to the All-NBL Second Team. He was joined by high-profile recruit Luke Schenscher (16.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists), whose return from the NBA solidified Adelaide’s interior presence.

First-year guard Aaron Bruce (9.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists) proved to be a valuable floor general and earned NBL Rookie of the Year honours. Holmes (9.5 points and 6.7 rebounds), Hill (8.5 points and 3.7 rebounds), and Davidson (5.7 points and 2.5 assists) added critical support. Maher remained a calm anchor amid roster changes, while Ballinger delivered marquee performances, including a 35-point explosion against Cairns and a 34-point, 12-rebound showcase in a win over Perth. Schenscher produced numerous double-doubles, highlighted by a 25-point, 17-rebound performance against the Hawks.

Adelaide finished the regular season with a 15–15 record, clinching sixth place and returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2005/06. However, their campaign ended abruptly with a 131–101 defeat to the New Zealand Breakers in a one-game Elimination Final in Auckland. The season finale also marked the retirement of Brett Maher, closing a remarkable chapter in club history.

MELBOURNE TIGERS
2009/10
The Melbourne Tigers entered the 2009/10 NBL season with a restructured roster and uncertain future, nearly withdrawing from the competition due to financial concerns before ultimately committing to the campaign. Longtime coach Al Westover remained at the helm, guiding a team that had undergone significant offseason upheaval. Star forward David Barlow departed for Europe, while Melbourne opted not to re-sign import Ebi Ere, who had been instrumental in their recent success. In a bold strategy, the Tigers initially pursued an all-Australian roster, leading to the recruitment of Mark Worthington (via South Dragons), Luke Kendall (via Sydney Kings), and Ben Knight. The returning core featured veterans Chris Anstey, Sam Mackinnon, Nathan Crosswell, and Daryl Corletto, while development players Tim Lang and Ryan Bathie were elevated to bolster the rotation.

Melbourne’s campaign began without an import and got off to a sluggish start, opening the season 1–3 and dropping to 4–11 by late November. Injuries quickly derailed the team’s plans—Chris Anstey missed the first month due to hip surgery and played only 16 games all season, averaging (9.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists). Ben Knight (4.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) played just four games before rupturing a quad tendon in his right knee. Nathan Crosswell (8.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists) fractured his finger and missed half the season, while Kendall (12.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) was sidelined for 17 games.

In need of a spark, the Tigers signed former NBL MVP Julius Hodge in November. Hodge (17.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks across 19 games) debuted with 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in a 98–91 loss to Townsville. He helped steady Melbourne’s offense in the absence of Crosswell but struggled in the point guard role. On December 5, Hodge returned to Adelaide to face his former club and led the Tigers to an 87–84 victory, but post-game celebrations turned ugly when Hodge stomped on Brett Maher’s signature at centre court. The incident incited crowd fury and nearly led to a riot, with Hodge requiring a police escort off the court and out of the building. Despite widespread condemnation, NBL GM Chuck Harmison opted not to impose a suspension, stating that while Hodge’s actions were “juvenile,” they did not breach the league’s code of conduct. The Tigers’ management and senior players—including Anstey and Worthington—publicly apologised to Maher and the 36ers.

Melbourne’s fortunes briefly improved, highlighted by a Boxing Day win over the Hawks (90–88) and a New Year’s victory over Cairns (87–64). Worthington (16.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.8 blocks) led the charge and appeared in all 28 games. Daniel Johnson stepped up in Anstey’s absence and won the NBL Most Improved Player award, lifting his production from 2.7 points and 1.9 rebounds to (10.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists). The Tigers strung together a late-season three-game win streak and held faint playoff hopes with nine games to go.

However, those hopes were dashed with four straight losses to close out the year, including defeats to playoff contenders. Melbourne finished in sixth place with an 11–17 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2004. It marked a steep fall from grace following four straight Grand Final appearances. The team’s inconsistency, injury setbacks, and failed import experiment ultimately left them well short of expectations.

The season also signalled the end of an era. Longtime stars Chris Anstey and Sam Mackinnon (8.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 27 games) announced their retirements together at season’s end. Anstey, a former league MVP and cornerstone of the Tigers’ championship runs, posted his lowest numbers since his 1996 breakout year with the Magic. Mackinnon bowed out after a distinguished career that included multiple All-NBL selections and international honours. Kendall, who had returned to Melbourne hoping to revitalise his NBL career, saw his role fade due to injuries and rotation instability and was not re-signed.

Other notable contributors included Daryl Corletto (9.8 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.9 assists across 28 games), Tommy Greer (7.6 points and 5.5 rebounds), and import Michael Rose (6.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals), who appeared in eight games as an injury replacement player.

In 2010, revelations emerged that Hodge’s 2007–08 recruitment by the Adelaide 36ers—prior to his time in Melbourne—was partially financed by stolen funds. Adelaide man Christopher Fuss had embezzled $160,000 from Flinders University and used $50,000 of it to fund Hodge’s contract and buy into the club’s ownership group. The Tigers and Hodge were not implicated in wrongdoing, but the case drew fresh scrutiny to Hodge’s controversial time in the league. Fuss was sentenced in July 2011 to nine years in prison for stealing $27 million in total from the university.

Ultimately, the 2009/10 campaign was a year of upheaval for the Melbourne Tigers. Despite flashes of brilliance from Worthington and Hodge, and the emergence of Daniel Johnson as a future franchise centrepiece, the club’s attempt to rebuild on the fly failed to deliver postseason results.