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Grand ‘Welcome Home Celebrations’ planned for NBA player D’Moi M. Hodge

The Virgin Islands (VI) is preparing to celebrate the remarkable achievement of D'Moi M. Hodge, the first [British] Virgin Islander to make it to the National Basketball Association (NBA) by signing a 2-way contract with the renowned Los Angeles Lakers. Photo: Facebook
The celebratory events for D'Moi M. Hodge, right, will include a motorcade, are being organised by an Organising Committee formed specifically for that purpose. Photo: VINO/File
The celebratory events for D'Moi M. Hodge, right, will include a motorcade, are being organised by an Organising Committee formed specifically for that purpose. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands (VI) is preparing to celebrate the remarkable achievement of D'Moi M. Hodge, the first [British] Virgin Islander to make it to the National Basketball Association (NBA) by signing a 2-way contract with the renowned Los Angeles Lakers.

Hodge put in some stellar performances for Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 NBA Summer, and even top scored for the Lakers in their victory over LA Clippers Sunday night, July 16, 2023.

In honour of this historic milestone, a series of events titled, "D'Moi's Dream: The Journey – Welcome Home Celebrations" will bring together the community to celebrate, inspire, and uplift aspiring athletes.

The events, which will include a motorcade, are being organised by an Organising Committee formed specifically for that purpose.

“The VI and particularly his hometown are excited to welcome D’Moi home and celebrate with him this monumental achievement. We are proud of D’moi and we are planning celebrations fitting for our National Hero”, said one organiser in a press release today, July 17, 2023.

The Welcome Home Celebrations will kick off on Saturday, July 22, 2023, with the arrival to the Territory. This exciting moment is expected to be witnessed by his family and a small group at Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport due to airport restrictions.

Following his arrival, the festivities will continue with a “spectacular motorcade celebration”, starting from the Old Althea Scatliffe Primary School location. The motorcade will make its way through the capital, heading west and culminating in D’Moi’s hometown of Cane Garden Bay at the Ivan Dawson Primary School’s Basketball court.

‘I am excited to be coming home’- Hodge

A special ceremony will be held at 4:30 PM to pay tribute to Hodge's extraordinary journey and recognise his unwavering dedication and exceptional talent.

Other planned activities include a 2-day basketball camp for youth on Tortola and Virgin Gorda respectively for aspiring athletes to witness the rigors of D’Moi’s Training routine and engage with him and his trainer, Tyshawn Patterson.

“I just want to give back to the community that groomed me into the man I am today. I am excited to be coming home,” said Mr Hodge.

An All-Star Game Night event is also planned with activities such as a skills challenge, 3-point shoot-out and a basketball game.

According to the Organising Committee, all are urged to honour Hodge’s journey, share in his triumphs, and inspire future generations to chase their dreams.

18 Responses to “Grand ‘Welcome Home Celebrations’ planned for NBA player D’Moi M. Hodge”

  • Well (17/07/2023, 16:36) Like (25) Dislike (9) Reply
    Can we get posters with his photo on it in strategic places?? Great gestures for when tourists enters the country. Also, Rikkoi Brathwaite, Adaejah Hodge, Carifta medalists, National Softball men and women teams... and so forth. Let be forward thinking in the BVI. These posters should be up all year round.
    • @ Well (17/07/2023, 19:18) Like (32) Dislike (4) Reply
      That’s a no brainer. Not because we haven’t seen it means it’s not in the works.

      They’re likely already planning unveil a sign - Welcome to Cane Garden Bay - Home of NBA Athlete, D’Moi Hodge.

      The side of the wall facing the road at the AO Shirley Recreation Ground could have the various athletes’ photos rather than just renting parts of the wall to advertise businesses.

      It’ll be an added touch for D’Moi’s pic to be placed at selected Ports of Entry.
      • Ummm (18/07/2023, 05:17) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        I don’t think it’s a no brainer, probably for dmoi it isn’t! But carifta have come and gone and nothing , softball teams have come won and gone and nothing…… we should have had posters up around the country long time, dmoi should be now added to the fleet. This is not the case so it’s not a no brainer.
  • Xxx (17/07/2023, 16:57) Like (14) Dislike (34) Reply
    Hope when Andrew Fahie comes home we do the same!
    • @xxx (17/07/2023, 17:22) Like (5) Dislike (16) Reply
      We should because more and more the majority is understanding the fight, he was in trying to fight against the colonial powers to protect his people and country from their high-handed plot and that's why the efforts to find somehow to try to eliminate him as they can now instill fear in all our remaining leaders to be fearful to fight them for our freedom.
      • Eldread (18/07/2023, 07:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Yeah right fight colonial power so they can loot the treasury like independent Antigua and other independent countries without hindrance by the law, trust me we need independence for the BVI but it must have the checks and balance that the governor and UK symbolize, and after becoming independent the final authority rest with the premier where no police or court get in his way. If he or his men are found guilty of crime the premier could instruct the governor to issue a pardon like it happen in Antigua with hilroy Humphreys jail sentence, the governor is so powerful he could ask the royal family to send a note to release fahie from the USA drug case
    • @ xxx (17/07/2023, 19:19) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      You living in the Land of Delusion!!!!!!!
  • De PLANE (17/07/2023, 16:58) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let’s hope the airport opens by then!!!
  • Not a real place (17/07/2023, 17:08) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    that's only if the airport opens back up
  • st. thomas (17/07/2023, 17:23) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Our airport never closes abruptly. Fly to here and ferry to the BVI - if the ports are open!
  • Paying lots of money to get here (17/07/2023, 17:58) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    This is real sad that they people coming to Nature's Little Secret have to spend all this money to fly here direct and still have to spend additional money to get from St. Thomas to Tortola. We about to kill our little economy what is left of it once the UK take over our finance. Wheatley said they should not have posted the names, but he is not saying what they did and how it was done was wrong. What is the population of this country, what percentage of the people received assistance. We are setting ourselves up for the UK to set in. I would hate to go independent under these leaders. We will definitely become a third world country. We Virgin Islanders do not have any place to run too other than this rock. All the other people that we do not think should be here will return to their home town which they have already built up. These are the same people that can help to grow our country. Let's come together and work and live as one. Congratulations Mr. Hodge, great job thank you for giving back to your country.
  • . (17/07/2023, 18:47) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    There’s Americans watching the country please make it look nice
  • YATTA (17/07/2023, 20:59) Like (2) Dislike (15) Reply
    When he play with my savior Le Goat James, best player to have ever played any sports in the history of the earth, then I will go see him. Until then, just a poppy show event tbh.
  • maybe (18/07/2023, 10:07) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    Maybe we can stop celebrating people who have not achieved anything yet...

    We ruin many young athletes in this territory by celebrating minor things that are just a step up.

    Sure he signed the contract, good job. But please let him play a good season without the celebrations getting the better of him.

    (This also applies to our contract signing by governments, we celebrate but nothing eventually gets done).
    • El Demonio Negro (18/07/2023, 14:19) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      Don't quit your day job keep dreaming you obviously will not come close to yours.
  • NezRez (21/07/2023, 17:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If we don't support and encourage our youths, then who will? The more push our children get, the more they feel confident and try harder. That goes for all children around the world who are constantly being told they can do it. Self-determination and pride make people persevere to succeed at whatever they do. Nay-sayers need to sit down and shut up since you contribute nothing but negativity because that is how your lives are, pitiful.


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