Recruiting Report: Jalen Hodge (2018)
O’Fallon 2018 point guard Jalen Hodge is one of the top handful of lead guards remaining on the board in the state of Illinois. The point guard is a smooth floor general that always has his head up looking to make a play for himself or others. Hodge plays well in the open floor weaving in and out of the defense. In the half court he has a first step that allows him to get past the defense and to the rim where he is a quality layup maker scoring on acrobatic finishes consistently. Also likes to use floaters over big men. Streaky perimeter shooter. As a distributor he makes crisp passes to teammates. Doesn’t have a lot of scorers around him on his high school team. Defensively he is a force pressuring the ball and cutting passing lanes.
How is the season going?
“We started really good. A lot of teams are sleeping on us. Every night we have something to prove. We have guys that can shoot the ball so we try to move the ball. I think I am playing really well. I have to take on a scoring role. I am trying to lead and be a point guard for the next level.”
He says one area of his game has improved significantly throughout his career.
“My shooting. The last three years I wasn’t much of a shooter. Now teams are focusing on how I can create inside and outside.”
What will the team that lands him at the college level be getting?
“A point guard that wants to win. I can facilitate and am a good passer. A guy that can get an offense going.”
He chatted with us about his recruitment.
“I have six D2 offers. I have been talking to Drake, Illinois State, and Bradley some.”
Who is recruiting him the hardest at this stage?
“University of Indianapolis is on me a lot.”
Hodge discussed a timeline for his decision.
“I did want to decide around the end of December, but I am playing really well so I am going to wait it out a little bit more.”
He ran with Jets-Ramey United on the travel team circuit.