Former NBA player Julius Hodge joins Buffalo staff

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Former NBA first-round draft pick Julius Hodge is preparing to start his post-professional basketball career at the University at Buffalo.

Hodge on Monday was named the Bulls director of player development under new coach Nate Oats.

The former shooting guard was the ACC's 2004 player of the year at North Carolina State. Hodge was selected by Denver with the 20th pick in the 2005 draft. He appeared in just 23 games over two seasons split between Denver and Milwaukee before traveling to play overseas.

In April 2006, Hodge was shot four times while driving on a Denver highway. His pro career ended in Britain last December when he was released by Cheshire for what the team called ''a series of misconduct related incidents.'' The team did not reveal the misconduct.

Hodge responded to being released by posting a message on his Twitter account calling his tenure with Cheshire as ''by FAR the worst I've ever encountered.''