Lakers Sign Intriguing Former SEC Sharpshooter

The Los Angeles Lakers were linked to several big names this offseason and the decision to sign a former SEC sharpshooter.

The Lakers front office was predicted to add players like Kyrie Irving and Chris Paul, but it started the offseason haul with the signing of undrafted free agents. Former Missouri guard D’Moi Hodge is one of them. Dan Woike from Los Angeles Times was among the first to confirm this signing.

The purple and gold also signed big man Colin Castleton and forward Alex Fudge.

In his 2022-23 season with the Tigers, Hodge averaged 14.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 1.6 assists while going 40% from long range. He played basketball at Cleveland State for two seasons and made the 2021-22 All-Horizon team.

“The Lakers are signing Missouri G D’Moi Hodge to a 2-way contract, sources tell the @latimes,” Woike detailed in a series of June 23, 2023 tweets. “Shot 40 percent on 7 threes per game this year. Former DPOY in the Horizon League. From the British Virgin Islands.”

Lakers could get the best of their decision to sign a sharpshooter

Sam Vecenie from The Athletic ranked Hodge as the No.82 overall player. He will have to work really hard to earn a spot on the roster. The scouting report of Sports Illustrated says the talented player could be a 3-and-D player in the NBA.

“Hodge is a disruptive defender that can cause chaos at the point of attack,” Sports Illustrated’s scouting report of Hodge noted. “He has quick hands and reaction speed which results in him averaging nearly three steals per game. Hodge doesn’t have ridiculous upside but there’s a role in the NBA for his archetype as a 3-and-D wing, especially since he excels at both of those skills.

“The productive guard can make a variety of different shots off the catch, movement, and dribble while also defending with toughness. He has smooth shot mechanics with good touch from all around the perimeter. However, he doesn’t have a ton of creation skills or advanced passing ability but he plays a role at a high level that every NBA organization wants on their roster.”