Early Life and Education
Craig Anthony Hodges was born on June 27, 1960, in Park Forest, Illinois. He developed a passion for basketball early in life and attended Rich East High School in his hometown. He then went on to play college basketball at Long Beach State University from 1978 to 1982. Under coach Tex Winter, Hodges became a standout player and set a school record for career assists.
NBA Career
Hodges was selected in the third round of the 1982 NBA Draft by the San Diego Clippers. He played two seasons with the Clippers before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 1984. During his tenure with the Bucks, he became known for his sharpshooting, leading the league in three-point shooting percentage multiple times. He later had stints with the Phoenix Suns and the Chicago Bulls. It was with the Bulls that he achieved his greatest team success, contributing to back-to-back NBA championships in 1991 and 1992. During this time, he also cemented his legacy as one of the greatest three-point shooters in league history, winning the NBA Three-Point Contest in 1990, 1991, and 1992—becoming just the second player to win the event three times.
Contracts, Salary & Career Earnings
Throughout his NBA career, Craig Hodges’ earnings reflected the salary norms of the 1980s and early 1990s. In the mid-1980s, his salary with the Milwaukee Bucks was reported to be approximately $115,000. By the 1991–92 season with the Chicago Bulls, he was earning around $700,000. While exact career earnings are not fully documented, his salaries steadily increased as he gained experience and recognition, particularly during his championship years in Chicago.
Activism and Advocacy
Hodges was not just a player—he was a vocal advocate for racial and economic justice during a time when most professional athletes remained silent. In 1992, after the Bulls’ second championship, he attended the team’s White House visit wearing a dashiki and delivered a letter directly to President George H.W. Bush urging attention to the challenges facing the Black community in America. Though Hodges remained a capable shooter and experienced veteran, no NBA team signed him after the 1992 season. Many believe his activism and outspokenness were viewed as controversial within the league at the time, effectively leading to an unofficial blacklisting.
Lawsuit Against the NBA
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.
Post-NBA Career
After his playing career ended, Hodges stayed close to the game. He served as head coach at Chicago State University and later joined the coaching staff of the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won two NBA championships (2009, 2010) as a special assistant. 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.
Legacy
Craig Hodges’ legacy extends far beyond the basketball court. He was one of the NBA’s premier long-range shooters during his time and played a key role in two Chicago Bulls championships. But it’s his courage to speak out—at a time when few athletes dared to—that defines his lasting impact. Hodges paved the way for future generations of athlete-activists and remains a respected figure among both basketball fans and civil rights advocates.
