Pro Prospects

An NBA scout evaluates the potential of N.C. State swingman Julius Hodge, a 6'7", 205-pound senior. At week's end Hodge, the 2003--04 ACC player of the year, was averaging 17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists.

"He's a fill-up-the-stat-sheet kind of guy. He loves to pass, handles the ball with both hands, posts up, rebounds, and he's not afraid to defend. He can't shoot, but he [is willing to] take big shots.... He's a big guard, which is appealing, but he's thin. At our level people are going to try to bang him around. Players can get away with being wispy when they're mercurial and quick. He's not that.... His inability to be a proficient scorer makes him a second-rounder. For a team looking for a jack-of-all-trades, he's a nice choice."

COLOR PHOTO

BOB ROSATO (HODGE)