Cleveland Cavaliers: Rodney Hood ‘the greatest to come out of Meridian’

Cleveland Cavaliers restricted free agent Rodney Hood is an inspiration for his hometown.

Cleveland Cavaliers restricted free agent Rodney Hood is widely expected to re-sign with the team that traded for him in February eventually.

However, in the meantime, Hood has been keeping himself busy by keeping the youth in his hometown busy.

On Sunday, Hood completed his 4th Annual Rodney Hood Elite Basketball Camp in Meridian, Mississippi.

"“It gives me great pleasure to know that in my professional capacity as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Organization, that I can come back to the community that I grew up in, which has supported me over my entire career and have the ability and blessing to give back what I can, to a home that has given so much” – Rodney Hood"

Hood was born and raised in Meridian, Mississippi, first leaving when he transferred from Mississippi State University to Duke University in 2012.

The camp, which hosted 430 attendees from age 9 to 17, featured 30 counselors, local coaches from the middle school to high school level, NBA players as well as EuroLeague and college stars. The camp, an extension of Hood’s EYBL camp, would take place at seven gyms around the city.

Over the weekend, campers would earn trophies and prizes with contests and competitions. There were also giveaways that ranged from t-shirts to basketballs to memorabilia donated by Hood.

All of this was provided for free.

Per Drew Kerekes of The Meridian Star:

"At no cost to the attendees, Hood hosted more than 400 young basketball players from around the state of Mississippi, as they were eager to learn from the Cleveland Cavaliers guard and compete against one another.“I love being back,” Hood said. “There are so many memories that go through my mind when I step foot in that gym. So much hard work, blood, sweat and tears. Just to be back in a different state of mind as an (alumnus), that means a lot to me.”"

The camp is considered a “brainchild” of the Hood family. Not just because it was a collaborative effort to start the camp but because Hood’s parents are the ones who instilled a sense of charity and community responsibility in him:

"“My mom and dad, they stressed that to us early on,” he said. “It’s not a giveback, it’s just something we feel special about.”"

Hood’s mother, Vicky, was a longtime principal at Meridian High School. His father has been the director of the Boys & Girls Club of East Mississippi for 31 years. Both of his parents played basketball at Mississippi State.

For the participants, though, the camp isn’t just a chance to hone their basketball skills. It also gives them a chance to live out their dreams.

Or, for a player like Southeastern Louisiana’s Tyron Brewer, a measuring stick.

"“He was the greatest to come out of Meridian, and I’m trying to be the next greatest, so in order to be the next greatest, I need to play against the greatest,” Brewer said."

Hood was a four-star recruit (per ESPN), ranked 31st nationally and the top-ranked player in Mississippi (per 247 Sports).

Brewer was a three-star recruit ranked outside of the top-300 nationally and ranked 7th in Mississippi (per 247 Sports). He’ll turn heads it he accomplishes the feat and it’s great that he looks at Hood as a model of success.

Hood was a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Mississippi and helped lead his high school alma mater (Meridian High School) to a win in the MHSAA Class 6A championship, their first basketball title in 33 years. He had led his team to the championship game the year before, though they fell short.

He averaged 23.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game between his junior and senior year, notching 3.1 blocks and 2.0 steals per game in his senior season.

He was named to the SEC All-Freshman team at Mississippi State. He was a team captain at Duke.

He was a first-round draft pick in 2014 and has even outplayed his draft position.

He shined against Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors in the 2018 NBA Finals.

Last but not least, he’s been involved with the community every step of the way.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a team full of good guys.