Craig Hodges, a former NBA shooting guard with a net worth of $500 thousand, is known for his three-point shooting, two championships with the Chicago Bulls, and his bold political activism.
Craig Hodges, a retired American professional basketball player and coach, has an estimated net worth of $500 thousand as of 2026. Recognized as an NBA shooting guard, he earned fame for his remarkable three-point shooting skills, his two championship victories alongside the Chicago Bulls, and his fearless political advocacy. Hodges is particularly celebrated for securing three straight NBA Three-Point Contest titles 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. His uncompromising stance on social issues, combined with his activism, is widely believed to have led to an unspoken exclusion from the NBA. In 1996, he pursued legal action against the league with a $40 million claim, alleging he was sidelined due to his political beliefs—a case that drew widespread attention but was eventually rejected. Despite the legal outcome, Hodges' reputation as a champion and a bold voice for justice remains strong. Craig Anthony Hodges entered the world on June 27, 1960, in Park Forest, Illinois. From a young age, he developed a deep love for basketball and attended Rich East High School in his hometown. He later pursued higher education at Long Beach State University, where he played basketball from 1978 to 1982. Under the guidance of coach Tex Winter, Hodges distinguished himself as an exceptional player and set a school benchmark for career assists. Selected in the third round of the 1982 NBA Draft by the San Diego Clippers, Hodges began his professional journey. He spent two seasons with the Clippers before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 1984. While with the Bucks, he gained recognition as a deadly three-point marksman, leading the league in three-point shooting accuracy on multiple occasions. His career included brief stints with the Phoenix Suns and the Chicago Bulls. It was during his time with the Bulls that he achieved his most significant team accomplishments, helping secure back-to-back NBA championships in 1991 and 1992. During this period, he also solidified his reputation as one of the NBA's finest long-range shooters, claiming the NBA Three-Point Contest crown in 1990, 1991, and 1992—becoming only the second player ever to capture the event three times in a row. Throughout his NBA tenure, Craig Hodges' income mirrored the salary trends of the 1980s and early 1990s. In the mid-1980s, while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, his annual earnings were documented at roughly $115,000. By the 1991–92 season with the Chicago Bulls, his salary had risen to about $700,000. While exact career earnings remain unverified, his pay increased steadily as his skills and reputation grew, especially during his championship years in Chicago. Despite his ongoing ability as a shooter and his status as a seasoned veteran, no NBA franchise offered him a contract after the 1992 season. Many observers suggest that his activism and outspoken nature were considered contentious within the league, effectively leading to an informal banishment from professional play. In 1996, Craig Hodges initiated a $40 million lawsuit against the NBA, accusing the league of conspiring to exclude him due to his political stances and public advocacy. The lawsuit argued that his involvement in social justice initiatives—including the letter delivered to the president and his public critiques of government policies—prompted NBA teams to collude in preventing his return to the league. Hodges maintained that despite his sustained high-level performance—including three consecutive Three-Point Contest wins and contributions to two NBA titles—he was abruptly denied contract opportunities after 1992. The legal challenge cited breaches of his rights under federal labor laws and civil rights protections. The case was dismissed in 1998 after the court ruled there was insufficient proof that the NBA or its teams had conspired to bar him. Though the lawsuit did not succeed, it amplified public awareness of Hodges' assertions and underscored the conflicts between political engagement and professional athletics during that period. Following his retirement from playing, Hodges remained connected to basketball. He took on the role of head coach at Chicago State University and later joined the coaching team of the Los Angeles Lakers, where he contributed to two NBA championship victories (2009, 2010) as a special assistant. He also coached in various international basketball leagues and continued to engage in community-based initiatives, using the sport as a tool for mentoring youth and fostering empowerment. In 2017, Hodges released a memoir titled *Long Shot*, which recounts his life, career, and the sacrifices he made for standing by his convictions. Craig Hodges' influence stretches well beyond basketball. He was one of the NBA's most elite three-point specialists in his era and played a pivotal role in the Chicago Bulls' back-to-back championships. Yet it is his bravery in speaking out—at a time when few athletes were willing to take such a stand—that truly defines his enduring impact. Hodges opened doors for future athlete-activists and remains a revered figure among basketball enthusiasts and advocates for social justice. © 2026 Celebrity Net Worth / All Rights Reserved