2011 BU commitment- Devon Hodges 2011 6'7 PF

[Big Mike]

Chicago hoops says the one-time Wisconsin recruit has had contact with BU among others...
http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/devonhodges2.html

[tornado]

Bolingbrook head coach Rob Brost is a UNI grad and a Cedar Falls native..
maybe this gives UNI a little advantage...

[fansince55]

Chicago hoops says the one-time Wisconsin recruit has had contact with BU among others...
http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/devonhodges2.html

Any updates on Devon Hodges? Is BU still recruiting him?

[tornado]

Any updates on Devon Hodges? Is BU still recruiting him?
yes, he is still available

[Bradleyguy10]

lol way to bump this now!

Coincidence?

....

[CABUFan]

Anyone have any recent info on this guy? Everything I turned up in a quick google search was more than a year old.... Seems like he kind of fell off the map after decomitting from WI.

[Big Mike]

you tube AAU from Dan Poneman july 2010...#33 white uni...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaxBuml0sZA

I really like this kid....can you imagine Devon and Taylor match-ups......NICE! :D

[Da Coach]

Anyone have any recent info on this guy? Everything I turned up in a quick google search was more than a year old.... Seems like he kind of fell off the map after decomitting from WI.

I have heard he didn't play basketball this past year because of a move that kept him ineligible.

[wily coyote]

I have heard he didn't play basketball this past year because of a move that kept him ineligible.
I think the IHSA ruled him ineligible because of transfer rules. Not sure of the details but pretty sure thats why he didn't play. I would love to see him in a Braves jersey.

[CABUFan]

Thanks, that makes sense.

[tornado]

as predicted -- Hodges is visiting BU ... watch for more..

[Da Coach]

Dave Reynolds now reporting the visit-
http://blogs.pjstar.com/pressrow/2011/05/05/hodges-to-visit-bradley/

[Big Mike]

Sign him up coach! :D

[mexicobufan]

A poster said that Hodges was at BU on Monday and played with our guys? Does anyone know anything about this? I would love to know how he looked. I guess today is his official visit.

[Da Coach]

Yes, that is correct.

[Da Coach]

Devon is home after his visit. Things went great.
Expect to hear good news tomorrow or Monday.

[Braves4Life]

http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x855739571/Braves-get-suburban-forward

Welcome to BU young man. You're home now! :)

[MikeCash]

Like.

[amettrick]

This is good news. I don't expect much in the first year or so, but with his athleticism I really think he could develop into a solid contributor in his junior and senior years.

[jasonpeoria911]

Hit the new facilities hard this summer Hodges, plenty of playing time to compete for this next season.

Jason

[ManMythLegend]

VERY excited about this kid. Nice job Geno and staff!

[BUFanatic]

Is this the kid from KSU?

[DUBrave5]

This kid is from Bolingbrook and originally committed to Wisconsin. He is from my old high school and I have mixed feelings about this since he was ruled ineligible in January and didn't really get to see the court after that.

[thefish7]

Great news! Welcome to BU, Devon!

[Big Mike]

NICE! Welcome to BU Devon....you made the right choice! :D

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/77483/devon-hodges

[tornado]

good job -- he's a keeper

[wily coyote]

Great get Geno, Welcome Devon your gonna love it here.

[electricmayhem]

This was ESPN's write-up in 2009 - sounds great!

"Devon has a great basketball body with tremendous length and athleticism. He's a good shot blocker who can really run the floor well. He's also a terrific rebounder, especially on the offensive end. Offensively, he has a versatile inside-out game out to about 17 feet. He's not a 3-point shooter yet and he also needs to work on his ball handling. He needs to learn to take his man off the dribble from the wing. Devon is a tenacious competitor who never backs down from anyone. The coaches at Wisconsin (verbal) will love his toughness and his athleticism. He has a tremendous amount of upside for someone so young. Projects to the high-major level by the time all is said and done."

[Da Coach]

Is this the kid from KSU?

No, he was never recruited by Kent State.

[Da Coach]

Devon is home after his visit. Things went great.
Expect to hear good news tomorrow or Monday.

Devon and his mother signed the NLI last night after he got home from his visit and faxed it to BU. One reason he could not sign while he was at Bradley is that he is only 17, and could not legally sign by himself.
I hear he was extremely impressed with the coaching staff and the facilities. Facilities do make a difference.
http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x855739571/Braves-get-suburban-forward

[Beninator]

Great news. Welcome to Bradley Devon!:)

[Da Coach]

Devon was very impressed with Bradley and the BU facilities when he came to Bradley on Monday and participated in an open gym with some of the BU players. He was invited back for an official visit Thursday and Friday, and he gave a verbal commitment when he was visiting the campus. But as I mentioned elsewhere, Devon is just 17, so he could not legally sign the NLI alone. So he took the papers home and got the necessary signatures and faxed them back last night.
More-
http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15695

Welcome to Bradley, Devon. And congratulations to Coach Ford, Coach Scott, and Coach Uken. Pat Beilein played a part in this as well.

And Bradley is not done recruiting. There are a couple more visits scheduled this coming week.

[LittleBrave]

We need you Devon to get ready and contribute as early as next season!
Welcome aboard young man! I'm confident the BU staff will get'cha ready for Valley-ball.

[romar]

DC - it seems that you are now much more "in the loop" where BU recruiting is concerned. Is there less cloak & dagger stuff under the new regime, are your resources closer to the action or have you just gotten better at what you do? Or maybe some combination of all of the above? ;)

[Da Coach]

It is all of those. The current coaches are less secretive, though there is always a little bit of secrecy involved with recruiting and scheduling. So we will try to get the info fans want without putting more out than they would like.

I have learned the coaches have at least 2 more visits scheduled this coming week, so we'll get more info when we can.

[shaunguth]

Welcome aboard DH.....can't wait to see you in action!

[doug shank's crossover]

With a little more muscle and maybe another inch in height, we might have the low post scrapper that we've so desperately needed. I think he'll also give Coach Ford some flexibility to play the 4 or the 5 spot. Nice get.

[lightsout]

Just the news I was hoping to see this morning. Devon will be a great fit for Geno's playing style. You made a great choice Devon welcome to BU!

[LittleBrave]

The big question I have is whether DH is willing to put in the work to improve each year that he's a Brave. In other words, is he a hard worker? That I don't know much about him. Anyone have a good idea?

Based on the footage, he needs a lot of work in order to compete in the Valley. I understand he's young though, and will only get stronger. Let's get him up to 225, without losing quickness and hops.

[Da Coach]

Here is what I know- he was very frustrated about the eligibility fight he had to go through that kept him from playing and participating with his high school team. But he didn't just sulk.
After he got the scholarship offer from Wisconsin, he fell off everyone else's recruiting radar. But he has been working with a personal trainer and working out a lot to develop his skills to get another D1 offer. It sounds to me like he has a very good work ethic.

[Big Mike]

I was told last night that he is already 220lbs......remember that video was from last summer and he is only 17 right now! :wink:

[Big Mike]

I also look at the Hodges signing as a late gem...... like finding Will Franklin and Taylor Brown when nobody had them on their radar yet....very excited about this! :mrgreen:

[romar]

I think BU did ok with the last recruit that we were able to get over Wisky. Looking forward to what DH brings to the table. His youth & size are what intrigues me. He could still grow another inch or two and RW will definitely put some muscle on him.

[real fan]

Great recruit to get especially this late, hope we can get one more good one next week , nice to get Chicago players again as they are so close to us and there is so much talent up there.
Good luck to Devin and thanks for giving BU a chance, this is truly a great place to play basketball .

[SFP]

I was told last night that he is already 220lbs......remember that video was from last summer and he is only 17 right now! :wink:

A long 6-7", 220 lbs, athletic 17 year old sounds like a very good pick up to me. I expect him to get some significant playing time with the system Geno plays. Now let's get that shooter and we'll be in good shape. Keep working hard and good things will happen. Welcome to the hilltop.

[Big Mike]

Also not to be lost in all of this.....Devon thanked Coach Ford and Coach Scott for the opportunity to be a Brave....so kudos to Willie for helping keep this alive! :D

[Big Mike]

Reynolds:Ford likes Hodges versatillity-upside...
"We only want to add kids this spring that we know are good enough to play" said Ford "Were just not trying to fill the roster."
And Willie had been recruiting Hodges before the arrival of Coach Ford......nice work Willie! :D

http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x173162290/Ford-likes-Hodges-versatility-upside

[Big Mike]

Reynolds:Ford likes Hodges versatillity -upside...
http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x173162290/Ford-likes-Hodges-versatility-upside

[tornado]

Agree with Da Coach -- the facilities that are 2nd to none in the midwest were the deciding factor in Devon canceling any and all other visits and signing on the spot....

but it didn't come as a 100% surprise as a few right here on this board literally reported that this was going to happen before it became news

Anyway -- we still need one more commit, maybe a lights out shooter -- however I have heard that DS is vastly improved as an outside shooter and is impressing everyone in open gyms

[Buesch N Chips]

but it didn't come as a 100% surprise as a few right here on this board literally reported that this was going to happen before it became news!

Correct. I learned Tuesday morning at 8:34 AM that Hodges would commit on Friday.

[Bravesfan]

I like that he's a local guy and one who originally committed to a Big Ten school. Hopefully he will be one of those "diamond in the rough" candidates that can turn out to be a great player!

[ancona flash]

6-7, athletic and long. Just what we were missing last year with TB out. This is potentially a "filling of the missing link" signing as far as urgent personnel needs. Hoping Hodges can turn into a rebounding machine and physical presence.

Welcome to BU Devin!

[Da Coach]

A couple articles about Devon Hodges and what problems he had to overcome in high school. It sounds like he was the victim of a lot of political shenanigans.
http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/2746142-417/hodges-raiders-season-brost-games.html

And a blogger who reports some of the problems related to the school's decision to rule Devon ineligible. It is also ironic that the school superintendent had a son on the Bolingbrook basketball team, and allegedly did not want Devon to play so his son could be the star of the team.-
- You need to highlight the entire article (click Edit, then Select All) to see the last half of it, because it switches to a black text on a black background.
http://bolingbrookreport.blogspot.com/2011/02/who-is-devon-hodges-and-what-has.html
Followup-
http://bolingbrookreport.blogspot.com/2011/03/follow-up-on-devon-hodges-sad-story-and.html

[Beninator]

A couple articles about Devon Hodges and what problems he had to overcome in high school. It sounds like he was the victim of a lot of political shenanigans.
http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/2746142-417/hodges-raiders-season-brost-games.html

And a blogger who reports some of the problems related to the school's decision to rule Devon ineligible. It is also ironic that the school superintendent had a son on the Bolingbrook basketball team, and allegedly did not want Devon to play so his son could be the star of the team.-
- You need to highlight the entire article (click Edit, then Select All) to see the last half of it, because it switches to a black text on a black background.
http://bolingbrookreport.blogspot.com/2011/02/who-is-devon-hodges-and-what-has.html
Followup-
http://bolingbrookreport.blogspot.com/2011/03/follow-up-on-devon-hodges-sad-story-and.html

:-o:-o:-o

I have a new favorite Brave! Go Devon. You are very welcome here!:D

[algotrader]

A couple articles about Devon Hodges and what problems he had to overcome in high school. It sounds like he was the victim of a lot of political shenanigans.
http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/2746142-417/hodges-raiders-season-brost-games.html

And a blogger who reports some of the problems related to the school's decision to rule Devon ineligible. It is also ironic that the school superintendent had a son on the Bolingbrook basketball team, and allegedly did not want Devon to play so his son could be the star of the team.-
- You need to highlight the entire article (click Edit, then Select All) to see the last half of it, because it switches to a black text on a black background.
http://bolingbrookreport.blogspot.com/2011/02/who-is-devon-hodges-and-what-has.html
Followup-
http://bolingbrookreport.blogspot.com/2011/03/follow-up-on-devon-hodges-sad-story-and.html

THAT is some interesting stuff. And I'm quite impressed with a local blogger taking on their local town with FOIA requests. I've done one before to expose a slimy police officer, so I love crap like that. Direct way for citizens to get to the bottom of things. Glad his story got out.

[KillerB]

Devon Hodges Commits To Missouri Valley Conference School


By Roy & Harv Schmidt


May 7, 2011


9:15 P.M. CST


It has been a long, strange ride for 6'7 power forward Devon Hodges from Bolingbrook High School in Bolingbrook, IL, but he finally got his reward when he offered up a commitment today to new Bradley University head coach Geno Ford. Hodges took an official visit to Bradley this past Thursday, and was offered a scholarship by Ford at that time. He loved the facilities and the opportunity to play basketball in the Missouri Valley Conference.


Hodges originally committed to the University of Wisconsin almost two years ago, and then all parties mutually agreed to part ways and open up Hodges' recruitment. After that Hodges decided to transfer from Romeoville High School in Romeoville, IL to Bolingbrook.


Hodges has played for several different high school and AAU coaches, but he always kept his focus and continued to pursue his goal of playing Division I college basketball. He gives Bradley a big body who can score inside as well as hit mid-range to high post shots. In addition, Hodges can also put the ball on the floor in the post and draw double-teams, as well as crash the boards at both ends. Although Hodges has sometimes lacked aggressiveness, when he comes to play he can surprise people with his abilities.

http://ilprepbullseye.com/Hodges_Bradley.html

[Big Mike]

Chicago hoops....
http://chicagohoops.hoops247.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=407:former-bolingbrook-high-school-star-devon-hodges-signs-with-bradley-university&catid=34:recruiting

[AZ BU Fan]

Welcome to BU Devon! Congrats to you and the BU Coaching staff!

Wait till you see Carver Arena packed and rockin', like the old days!

[Big Mike]

Bolingbrook article on Devon....

http://bolingbrook.patch.com/articles/bolingbrooks-hodges-commits-to-bradley