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Local NBA Prospect Could Get Call To War

By Mike Max, WCCO-TV  

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves looked privately at a group of potential draft prospects Sunday night.

One player that got a look played at Minnesota State University-Mankato. But he really doesn't know his basketball future because someone else controls his future.

Cameron Hodges celebrated quite a spring, leading his Mankato State Mavericks to the Division II national title game.

"I'm just staying in shape, working on my game every day, finishing up my degree and stuff. I've got a little bit of summer school left and I'll be done," Hodges said.

Hodges is also impressing the scouts enough to get a look from the Timberwolves. The Wolves seemed impressed but still have some background checks to do.

"He's very athletic on defense. He plays hard. He's a tough kid, I like the way he plays," said Tony Ronzone, the team's assistant general manager of player personnel.

If Hodges has any opportunities to play basketball professionally, it would be overseas. Ironically, he could end up overseas anyway even if he doesn't play basketball. He could end up fighting in the war.

"Right now I'm an active reservist so I'm delayed until 2012. When 2012 hits, they could call me back. You just kind of play it by ear," Hodges said.

Hodges has also been on reserve of a different kind, waiting for a phone call that could take him to another land.

He spends his time for now working out on the basketball court, knowing he could end up on a different team in a different game altogether.

"I got delayed to serve a tour in Afghanistan too, so if they need soldiers they'll call me up. And if they call me up, then I'll have to go I guess," Hodges said.

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