Craig Hodges

June 27, 1960 — Park Forest, Illinois

Craig Hodges is an American former NBA player best remembered for his sharpshooting ability — he won the Three-Point Contest three consecutive years — and his outspoken political activism. A backup guard on the Chicago Bulls' first two championship teams alongside Michael Jordan, he became one of the NBA's most prominent political voices in the early 1990s, ultimately paying a steep career price for his willingness to challenge American institutions.

Early Life and Basketball Career

Born on June 27, 1960, in Park Forest, Illinois, Hodges played college basketball at California State University, Long Beach, before entering the NBA. He played for several teams including the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, and Chicago Bulls during a career that lasted from 1982 to 1992. Known primarily as a specialist — one of the purest three-point shooters in the league — he won the NBA Three-Point Contest three consecutive years from 1990 to 1992, establishing himself as one of the premier long-range shooters of his era. He was part of the Chicago Bulls squads that won back-to-back NBA championships in 1991 and 1992.

Activism and Blacklisting

Hodges was known throughout his career for his political outspokenness. In 1991, when the Bulls visited the White House after their first championship, he wore a dashiki and handed President George H. W. Bush a handwritten letter urging him to address poverty and racism in America — a gesture that drew significant attention. He was released by the Bulls after the 1991–92 season and subsequently found himself unable to obtain a roster spot despite his continued shooting ability. Hodges later filed a lawsuit alleging that the NBA had blacklisted him for his political activism. He has spoken and written extensively about the intersection of sport, race, and politics in America, and his case is frequently cited in discussions of athlete activism.

Legacy

Craig Hodges occupies a distinctive place in NBA history as both a champion shooter and a political pioneer. His willingness to sacrifice his career for his principles — at a time when athlete activism was far more professionally risky than it would later become — has made him a respected figure in the broader conversation about athletes and social responsibility. His story has been revisited with increasing appreciation in the decades since, as athlete activism has become more normalized and the cost he paid has become more apparent.