As a 6-foot-8, 210-pound floor spreader who has shown a deft touch and cerebral all around game on the Nike EYBL circuit this off-season, PSA Cardinals product Matthew Hodge is heating up at the right time. With Peach Jam now here, the St. Rose (NJ) HS wing has drawn recent offers from Villanova, Florida State Alabama, Pittsburgh, and Marquette.
Playing multiple positions and guarding the 1-4, versatility has surfaced as a bedrock asset of Hodge’s hardwood trade. Hodge, who is from Belgium originally, is stoked about the uptick of recent offers.
University of Virginia, which received a commitment from high octane PSA 2024 guard Christian Bliss, offered Hodge following his performance during the recent Philly Live.
University of Florida, which has capitalized on the transfer market and looks to revitalize the program following a pedestrian 16-17 season in 2022-23, has expressed interest in Hodge.
“It is basically a perfect offer,” Hodge said of Villanova.
“It is close by. They play in a great league in the Big East. Villanova is one of the top teams there the last 20 years. So, that offer means a lot to me. I watched them a lot growing up in Belgium. I watched both of their national championships, in 2016 and 2018. I stayed up late to see (Kris Jenkins game-winning buzzer beater that lifted them to the 2016 national title). We are six hours ahead in Belgium, so I remember being up late and watching that shot.”
Marquette is a program which has intrigued Hodge, even well prior to the offer.
“I watched them in the Big East tournament in March in the Big East tournament, and I just remember telling my coach (Brian Lynch), Shaka Smart is the type of coach I want to play for. Of course, they were not showing any interest at that time. So for them to give me an offer, that is really special. I spoke with coach Smart. I think he is a really great coach.”
Hodge holds offers from the likes of Penn State, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion, and an array of others.
He is the son of former ODU forward Odell Hodge, who was a two-time CAA Player of the Year and scored 2000+ points and grabbed 1000+ boards during his career.
Hodge put his all-around game on display during the EYBL Session I in Phoenix.
In an exposure-heavy environment, Hodge buried deep 3-pointers, delivered timely assists out of the post, played above the rim, and got crucial defensive stops while guarding multiple positions. His stock has been steadily increasing ever since. Hodge erupted during Philly Live, turning in a heads-turning 42-point performance against traditional DC power St. John’s College.
“If I were to pick two things that really jump off from a skill stand point, it his defense and his passing,” said Lynch, who played alongside and coached Odell Hodge in Belgium.
“Matt is an elite defender. I know his shot is really good, and people talk about that. If you watch us play, he will have games where he ends up with eight or nine assists. Last year, he averaged five assists. He sees slips, he throws it to a guy on a slip. He just sees it all. Part of his advanced IQ is his ability to pass and just read the game.”
Hodge has a relationship with Lynch that is akin to family. Lynch is the Godfather of Hodge’s younger brother and high level Class of 2026 combination guard Jayden Hodge, who also plays at St. Rose and with the PSA Cardinals.
