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VI basketball star D'Moi M. Hodge eager to get going for Cleveland State University

- had an impressive 2 years @ State College of Florida; Putting in work to stay in shape during lockdown
Young Virgin Islands basketball talent D'Moi M. Hodge, who has signed for Cleveland State University, is among the many sportspersons around the world eager to get back to their game after being rendered inactive due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Provided
D'Moi M. Hodge, with ball, seen here representing West Gunners in the 2017 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League. Photo: VINO/File
D'Moi M. Hodge, with ball, seen here representing West Gunners in the 2017 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League. Photo: VINO/File
One of his highlights at State College of Florida was scoring 50 points against Miami Dade during his freshman year in 2018, a feat D'Moi M. Hodge regards as one of his most memorable moments. Photo: Provided
One of his highlights at State College of Florida was scoring 50 points against Miami Dade during his freshman year in 2018, a feat D'Moi M. Hodge regards as one of his most memorable moments. Photo: Provided
Talented Virgin Islands basketball player, D'Moi M. Hodge has high hopes of playing in the NBA some day. Photo: Provided
Talented Virgin Islands basketball player, D'Moi M. Hodge has high hopes of playing in the NBA some day. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Young Virgin Islands basketball talent D'Moi M. Hodge is among the many sportspersons around the world eager to get back to their game after being rendered inactive due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

D'Moi is particularly anxious since he will be featuring with a new team, Cleveland State University, which he has not seen as yet.

In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online, D'Moi spoke about his experience at State College of Florida and how he has been coping during this pandemic.

D'Moi made his mark @ State College of Florida

At State College of Florida, D'Moi, who has made his mark in the Hon Julian Fraser Save The Seed League representing teams such as Splash Brothers and West Gunners, where he won a Championship, was one of the leading basketball players for his team in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), averaging nearly 20 points per game.

One of his highlights at State College Florida was scoring 50 points against Miami Dade during his freshman year in 2018, a feat D'Moi regards as one of his most memorable moments.

Apart from winning a number of player of the week and player of the month accolades, D'Moi also etched his name in the history books for State College of Florida when he broke the all-time scoring record and single season scoring record in his sophomore season.

Added to that D'Moi was also able to balance his academics with athletics.

“The two years at State College Florida was very interesting. I didn’t expect to accomplish all that I did to be honest, but as my freshman year went by I realised that I could really accomplish a lot. It was very good, my two years there.”

Reflecting on his two years at State College of Florida, D'Moi said he is grateful for everyone who played a part in making his time there a success and a memorable one.

“They all had a part to play in my college experience there.”

The journey continues

Having completed his two years on scholarship at State College of Florida, D'Moi is now a team member of Cleveland State University and while he is yet to play with his team or even seen some of his teammates, D'Moi has high hopes of also making a positive impression when the basketball season reopens.

“I would like to make it to the March Madness Tournament and make a big run in it, D'Moi shared.

Before committing to Cleveland State University, D'Moi had a number of schools seeking his talented services, including Florida Gulf Coast, Bethune-Cookman, Coastal Carolina, Illinois State, and Eastern Kentucky.

D'Moi will be joining fellow Virgin Islander Franklyn L. Penn Jr at Cleveland.

NBA dreams

The gifted and disciplined young man’s ultimate goal in basketball; however, is to one day play in the NBA.

No doubt he would prefer to play for Golden State Warriors, his favourite NBA team, which also one time featured his favourite NBA player, Kevin W. Durant, who now represents Brooklyn Nets.

D'Moi shared that he started playing basketball after seeing his uncle and cousins play the sport.

“In the early stages of playing basketball, some people that helped me was Jr, Gola, Bash, Morris, Saf.”

Setback

Relating on how the coronavirus pandemic has affected him, D'Moi said: “It set me back from working with my trainers and so on.”

The young man is currently home in the Virgin Islands but said he has still been able to keep his physical and mental conditioning during the lockdown.

‘Put in the work’

Sharing some advice to persons who are also aspiring of taking their game to another level, D'Moi implored them to put in the work, “even if you don’t feel like it you have to because people are out here working for that same spot.”

To his fellow sportsmen in lockdown or restricted from playing their game at this time, D'Moi encourages them to “keep working out” and do their best to keep their game up.

12 Responses to “VI basketball star D'Moi M. Hodge eager to get going for Cleveland State University”

  • gkefkkdakxq (12/05/2020, 09:10) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a moving piece
  • Intel. Analysis (12/05/2020, 09:54) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats young man. make yourself, Territory, and Family proud. It is very disheartening that we pass these positive editorials without taking the time out to encourage our youths. If this was a piece to sprew out our hatred for each other, the blogs would have read like the pages of a book based on a horror story.
  • All the best (12/05/2020, 11:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep your head up and work hard. All the best youngster.
  • guy hill (12/05/2020, 12:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Always continue to do your very best son. Be brave.
  • Oh yeah (12/05/2020, 13:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI GREAT AGAIN
  • rattie (12/05/2020, 16:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another promising youth hodge and bvi all the way
  • Me (12/05/2020, 17:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats
  • facts (12/05/2020, 23:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    People do great only when the vip government in power
  • And appeal to all residents (13/05/2020, 07:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am told what the young man needs is also financial support so you all please get your cheque book out to help him
  • Concerned (13/05/2020, 10:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats, keep focus, you will get there!!
  • Peaches (13/05/2020, 14:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations cuz, wish you all the best always & continue striving for excellence. Keep up the awesome job.


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