Craig Hodges, a former American professional basketball player and coach, has a notable legacy as a champion and outspoken activist, with a net worth of $500 thousand. He is renowned for his exceptional three-point shooting and his role in two Chicago Bulls championships.
Craig Hodges, a former American professional basketball player and coach, boasts a net worth of $500 thousand. As a former NBA shooting guard, Hodges is highly regarded for his remarkable three-point shooting prowess, his two championship wins with the Chicago Bulls, and his fearless political activism. He gained widespread recognition for winning three consecutive NBA Three-Point Contests from 1990 to 1992 and for presenting a letter addressing racial injustice to President George H.W. Bush during the Bulls' visit to the White House. Hodges' outspoken nature, combined with his activism, is believed by many to have contributed to his unofficial exclusion from the NBA. In 1996, he initiated a $40 million lawsuit against the league, alleging that he was excluded for political reasons, a case that garnered national attention but was ultimately dismissed. Despite the controversy surrounding his career, Hodges' legacy as a champion and a principled voice continues to endure. Born on June 27, 1960, in Park Forest, Illinois, Craig Anthony Hodges developed a passion for basketball at a young age and attended Rich East High School in his hometown. He then proceeded to play college basketball at Long Beach State University from 1978 to 1982, where he became a standout player under the guidance of coach Tex Winter and set a school record for career assists. Hodges was selected in the third round of the 1982 NBA Draft by the San Diego Clippers, with whom he played for two seasons before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 1984. During his tenure with the Bucks, he became known for his exceptional sharpshooting, leading the league in three-point shooting percentage on multiple occasions. He later played for the Phoenix Suns and the Chicago Bulls, with the latter team being where he achieved his greatest team success, contributing to back-to-back NBA championships in 1991 and 1992. Throughout this period, he solidified his legacy as one of the greatest three-point shooters in league history, winning the NBA Three-Point Contest in 1990, 1991, and 1992, making him the second player to achieve this feat three times. Throughout his NBA career, Craig Hodges' earnings were reflective of the salary norms of the 1980s and early 1990s. In the mid-1980s, his salary with the Milwaukee Bucks was reported to be around $115,000, while by the 1991-1992 season with the Chicago Bulls, he was earning approximately $700,000. Although his exact career earnings are not fully documented, his salaries increased steadily as he gained experience and recognition, particularly during his championship years in Chicago. Despite remaining a capable shooter and experienced veteran, no NBA team signed him after the 1992 season, with many believing that his activism and outspokenness were viewed as controversial within the league, effectively leading to an unofficial blacklisting. In 1996, Craig Hodges filed a $40 million lawsuit against the NBA, alleging that he had been blackballed by the league for his political beliefs and public activism. The suit claimed that his participation in social justice causes, particularly the letter he delivered to the president and his outspoken criticism of the government, led NBA teams to collude in keeping him out of the league. Hodges argued that despite his continued strong performance, including winning three straight Three-Point Contests and contributing to two NBA titles, he was abruptly frozen out of contract offers after 1992. The lawsuit cited violations of his rights under federal employment laws and civil rights protections. The case was ultimately dismissed in 1998, with the court finding insufficient evidence that the NBA or its teams had acted in concert to exclude him. While the suit was unsuccessful, it brought further attention to Hodges' claims and highlighted the tensions between political activism and professional sports during that era. After his playing career ended, Hodges remained close to the game, serving as head coach at Chicago State University and later joining the coaching staff of the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won two NBA championships as a special assistant in 2009 and 2010. He also coached in various international basketball leagues and continued to be involved in grassroots community efforts, using basketball as a platform for youth mentorship and empowerment. In 2017, Hodges published a memoir titled Long Shot, which details his life, career, and the price he paid for standing up for his beliefs. Craig Hodges' legacy extends far beyond the basketball court, as he was one of the NBA's premier long-range shooters during his time and played a key role in two Chicago Bulls championships. However, it's his courage to speak out at a time when few athletes dared to that defines his lasting impact, as he paved the way for future generations of athlete-activists and remains a respected figure among both basketball fans and civil rights advocates.