D'Moi M. Hodge is Defensive Player of 2021; Allison C. Leonard is an NBA agent! - Hodge plays basketball for Cleveland State Vikings

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islanders D’Moi M. Hodge and Allison C. Leonard have both made great strides in the basketball field, putting the Territory in the international spotlight in basketball.

Hodge, a 23-year-old Guard on the Cleveland State Vikings, was regarded as Defense Player of the year for 2021.

His 2.3 steals per game for Cleveland State men’s basketball team led the Horizon League and is ranked 13th in the country. Hodge was also selected as a member of the all-league first team, as selected by coaches.

Virgin Islander Hodge now becomes the second straight CSU player to earn the league’s top defensive honour following Tre Gomillion in 2021.

Gomillion and fellow senior Deante Johnson joined Hodge on the Horizon League All-Defensive team along with Micah Parrish of Oakland and Jalon Pipkins of Purdue Fort Wayne.

NBA Certified Agent

Meanwhile, Leonard is believed to be the first person from the [British] Virgin Islands to become a certified NBA agent.

Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), Leonard, who was already a FIBA certified NYC-based agent, said the road to becoming an official NBA agent took a lot of dedication and was similar to a university course.

He said outside of background checks, prospect agents also have to write a three-hour test about basketball and the rules that require rigorous study. “I believe I got 94 percent,” Leonard added.

Now, an official NBA Agent, Leonard said he can officially represent NBA and [Great Britain] GB players and scout talent for leagues.

He said ahead of the certification, he had to work with partners to represent agents in the league as he could not put his name on the paperwork without the NBA certifications.