Rodney Hood was selected by the Utah Jazz with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft Thursday night at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, New York City.
Hood followed in former teammate Jabari Parker's footsteps, as Parker was selected with the No. 2 overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks. The Blue Devils missed out on their chance to have two lottery picks in the same draft for the first time since 2006, as Hood slipped to No. 23.
Utah is coached by former Duke guard Quin Snyder, who is in his entering his first year as head coach. The Jazz finished 25-57 in the 2013-14 season. Hood's 3-point stroke is what drew Utah to the 6-foot-8 forward, as they ranked 24th in made 3-pointers per game last season.
Hood nailed 71 triples last season and was selected behind fellow sharpshooters Doug McDermott and Nik Stauskas. His versatility on the defensive end of the floor as well as his 6-foot-8.5 wingspan and athleticism allow the forward to cover more defensive ground than his counterparts but his limited exposure—he had to take a year off following his transfer to Duke—and his well-documented stomach issues resulted in him falling out of the lottery.
Hood shot 42 percent from downtown and averaged 16.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in his sole season at Duke.
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