Meridian native Rodney Hood has announced his retirement from professional basketball.
The Meridian High School alum told ESPN on Thursday that he is hanging it up after an eight-season run in the NBA. Hood, who played at Mississippi State for one season before transferring to Duke, was selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft.
Following a 3.5-year stint in Utah, Hood went on to become somewhat of a journeyman, earning playing time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Clippers. In the process, he made one appearance in the NBA Finals with the Cavaliers in 2018 alongside superstar Lebron James but was on the wrong end of a sweep by the Golden State Warriors.
Hood suffered an Achilles tear later in his professional stint that rendered him a “shell of himself.” After working his way back onto the hardwood this past spring, the left-handed sharpshooter suffered another injury as a member of the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ G League affiliate, prompting retirement.
“I’m just grateful for the game of basketball. To come from Meridian, Mississippi, and go on to Duke University, become a 1st round NBA draft pick, and travel the world playing the game that I love, it all makes me grateful,” a portion of Hood’s retirement statement reads. “I will always be appreciative of not only the journey but the people I met along the journey. And I continue to be incredibly thankful for my family who were there to support me every step of the way.”
Rodney Hood told ESPN he is retiring after 8 seasons in the NBA with UTA, CLE, POR, TOR, MIL and LAC. The 6-8 guard/forward made a comeback attempt with the Memphis Hustle in the G League last season before another injury told him it was time. pic.twitter.com/N7Ty7KR1fv
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 21, 2024
In his NBA career, Hood appeared in 448 games and averaged 10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. Now that he is no longer looking to suit up for a professional team, Hood expressed plans to help develop younger players into NBA talent as a coach.
“I wasn’t the best player, but I got a chance to be around and play against some of the best players that ever played. I think that gives me an insight. And I’ve also been through the mud. I dealt with injuries. I went through trades. Sometimes I was the No. 2 option. Sometimes I was the last guy off the bench,” Hood added. “I’ve been through it all. I plan to use my experiences to pour into others and help a lot of guys coming up in the game in this next phase of my life.”
