D'Moi Hodge signs two-way contract with Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed former Missouri shooting guard D’Moi Hodge to a two-way deal after he was not picked in Thursday’s NBA Draft. Surely he wanted to hear his name called, but nonetheless, Hodge’s long and winding hoops career has finally landed him in the NBA, where he’ll begin as a part of the biggest basketball brand in the world and have LeBron James and Anthony Davis as teammates. Not bad for a kid who was playing in junior college just a couple years ago.

Hodge played just one season at Missouri after a lengthy college career. He transferred in prior to last season after two seasons at Cleveland State and two years at the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

In 2021-22, Hodge averaged a career high 15.4 points per game and shot 48.2% from the floor in his final year at Cleveland State. He then translated well to the Power Five level, finishing the 2022-23 campaign with 14.7 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 47.7% from the floor and 40% from three-point range (a career high).

As a member of the Class of 2018, Hodge was not ranked, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NBA Draft experts are saying about D’Moi Hodge

Hodge was a potential second round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, so he’s a bit under the radar. 

“Known for being a defensive-minded guard, Hodge also produced nearly 15 points and four boards in his lone season with the Tigers,” Draft Digest’s, via SI, scouting report read. “The 6-foot-4 guard shot at an elite level last season, connecting on 40% of his 7.1 attempted threes per game. The SEC’s leader in 3-point percentage furthered his case at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament with a 50% mark, knocking down 14-of-28 from deep.

“There’s a stark difference in projected gravity and production between Hodge’s 40% clip from deep at Missouri and the 32% clip (318 attempts) in his two seasons at Cleveland State. If teams believe he’s an above average 3-point shooter to pair with his disruptive defense (3.1 stocks), he should be considered in the second round and would be a priority undrafted free agent.”

Hodge released a statement when he declared for the draft this spring. “I would like to thank my family for their continued love and support of my goals and dreams. To Coach Gates and the entire Mizzou organization, what a season! I also want to thank my brothers for pushing me. With that being said, I’m officially declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft,” Hodge said via his Twitter page.