The name D’Moi Hodge is already ringing amongst various basketball pundits in the United States ahead of the highly anticipated 2023 NBA Draft which is scheduled for June 22nd.
The BVI national took to his social media pages in early April to announce his entry into this year’s draft after concluding a relatively good season for the Missouri Tigers, breaking a 30-year-old college steals record to end with a newly set record of 91 steals, to add with 56 assists at an average of 14.7 points per game and 40 percent from the 3-point range.
Isaac Condra, founder of Global Scouting and an analyst for Draft Digest recently labelled Hodge as a top draft prospect, stating that he believed Hodge could be drafted out of the recently held G League Elite Camp.
He highlighted D’Moi’s ability as a shooter and perimeter defender, stating that as a defensive wing he is a disruptive defender that can cause chaos at the point of attack and has quick hands and reaction speed which results in him averaging nearly three steals per game.
As a shooter Condra said D’Moi excels off the catch but also has the ability to shoot off the movement, skills he believes fits a role in the NBA for “his archetype as a 3-and-D wing”.
Also inserting Hodge into the draft pick conversations was author at sport media company ClutchPoints, Quenton Albertie, who is of the opinion that the Brooklyn Nets basketball team should consider drafting Hodge with either of their two picks within the first round.
Nets have two first round picks at number 21 and 22 and Albertie believes with guard Seth Curry entering free agency during this NBA offseason, Hodge would be a fitting replacement at an affordable price.
Despite D’Moi attaining commendable stats and being named the 2022 Horizon Defensive Player of the Year, selected for the 2021-22 All-Horizon first-team selection, and leading the SEC in steals per game and 3-point percentage in 2022-23, Albertie believes Hodge selection goes far past his number and accolades.
In addition to joining the Nets as a 3-point specialist to replace Curry, the author says Hodge has the ability to devastate opposing teams both with his offense and defence and provides the Nets with a “legitimate chance” to start their four most talented players which he says includes Ben Simmons.
He said, adding Hodge who he described as an elite perimeter defender with a lightning-quick release from 3-point range opens up a lot for the Nets.