Rodney Hood spent eight seasons in the NBA from 2014-22 as a journeyman, playing for the Jazz, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Raptors, Bucks, and Clippers. In his career, Hood averaged 10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.7 steals in 24.5 minutes per game on 42/37/84 shooting splits.
At 6-foot-8, his positional size and shooting allowed Hood to be a key 3-and-D role player for multiple teams. But brutal injuries sadly derailed his career. In the 2019-20 season, his second year with the Blazers, Hood was limited to just 21 games as he suffered an Achilles tear. Hood's productivity took a significant dip after the injury, with his scoring decreasing from 11.0 points per game to just 4.7 the following season.
Hood still tried to make a comeback following the injury but never got back to being the same level of player. This season, he was with the Memphis Hustle (the Grizzlies' G-League affiliate) but unfortunately experienced another injury setback.
Rodney Hood announces NBA retirement
Now, at just 32 years old, Hood announces his retirement, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
Rodney Hood told ESPN he is retiring after 8 seasons in the NBA with UTA, CLE, POR, TOR, MIL and LAC. The 6-8 guard/forward made a comeback attempt with the Memphis Hustle in the G League last season before another injury told him it was time. pic.twitter.com/N7Ty7KR1fv
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 21, 2024
After spending one year at Mississippi State, Hood sat out a season as he decided to transfer to Duke. His play improved as a Blue Devil, and as a result, he was selected No. 23 overall by Utah in the 2014 NBA Draft. His four seasons with the Jazz could be what he's best remembered for, but Hood also made a significant impact in his limited three seasons with the Blazers from 2018-21.
Reflecting on Hood's three seasons with Portland
In Hood's announcement, he specifically mentions one playoff moment as a member of the Blazers where he made a clutch three in the fourth overtime to help seal the win -- Game 3 of the 2019 Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Denver Nuggets. "I'll always remember the 2019 playoffs. Portland vs. Denver. Four overtimes. I sat out the first three OTs and then I came in the fourth overtime and wound up hitting a go-ahead 3 in the final minute. That was one of the biggest moments I ever had in my eight-year NBA career."
The Blazers wound up defeating the Nuggets in seven games, and it's fair to wonder if that would have been the case if it weren't for Hood's heroics.
Add Hood to a long list of Blazers whose careers have been limited due to injuries, headlined by Greg Oden. But cheers to Rodney for a successful eight seasons despite the injuries. Rip City was fortunate to be a part of your NBA journey.