36er wants another crack at NBA

A dominant defensive performance against one of the NBA's best players has left Adelaide 36ers recruit Julius Hodge hungry for another crack at the big league.

Chosen by the Denver Nuggets as the 20th pick in the first round of the 2005 draft, Hodge's career was on the rise when his team tackled the LA Lakers.

"Probably the high point in the league was starting in the back court with Allen Iverson and I was defending Kobe Bryant and held him to eight points, that was pretty good right there," he said.

But while that clash with the Lakers remains a fond memory, it did trigger a premature exit from the elite basketball competition.

"Pretty much after that game with Kobe Bryant the Milwaukee Bucks showed interest and I was traded over there," he said.

"And then two of our big guys went down and they needed a big guy so they just released me with about a week and half left in my second year."

Keen for a fresh start, Hodge signed with Italian Serie A team Cimberio Varese midway through last year.

However, he found the living conditions in Italy tough, was keen for another move, and was advised by his agent to head to South Australia.

The 24-year-old has played two games with the 36ers and is enjoying the friendly atmosphere and the warm summer weather of Adelaide.

But while Hodge is eager to help the 36ers keep their slim play-off hopes alive, he also has an ulterior motive for heading to Australia - to play top level ball in America.

"There's definitely a chance to get back in but I felt like I wanted to see some new scenery so when I show myself again to the NBA that I'm pretty much a new product," he said.

"They'll see that I've got better and I think this is the perfect place for that."

"Guys can be overlooked early on in a career or not get as much of the opportunity and come back with a couple of years experience and be stars."

The Harlem-born player said he had been working on his defensive skills, bringing team mates into the game, 'transition' plays and his physical stature.

But regardless of these improvements, Hodge already believes he has the game to return to the top level.

"I always felt like in between the lines, I feel like I'm just as good as or better than anyone on the court so I always have that confidence going on," he said.

"Especially, physically, I can guard anyone on the court unless the guy is 7' 3" and built like Shaq."