coach when the first-ever Whitney Basketball Clinic gets underway at the Whitney Institute from July 12 to July 16.

There are 104 youths ranging in ages from eight to 17 years old participating in the clinic which is also expected to feature guest instructors from Bermuda and the Chicago area. Freddie Evans, an English teacher at the Whitney Institute, is the clinic's director.

Hodges, a member of the Bulls' first two championship teams in 1991 and 1992, will be the marquee attraction and he brings a wealth of community involvement experience to the Bermuda clinic. Along with current Bulls stars like Horace Grant, John Paxson and BJ Armstrong, Hodges continues to be one of the most active professional athletes involved in community projects.

But he has gone a step further, through frequent appearances at schools and community groups and launching a programme called Operation Unite -- Save The Youth in Chicago several years ago.

Hodges develops exchange programmes in schools which encourages the establishment of student leadership counsels to deal with the problems of youth. He also recruits star athletes to help deliver the message to youngsters.

His goal is to establish chapters of his programme in numerous cities, staffed by students to deal with problems like drugs, teenage pregnancy, depression and suicide.

The long-range, three-point shooting specialist was drafted by the San Diego Clippers in the third round in 1982, despite having averaged just 12 points a game. As an NBA player with the Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Bulls, he averaged 9.4 points a game for 11 seasons.

In the long distance shootout at the NBA All-Star Weekends in 1991 and 1992 Hodges won both contests with ease, adding to his reputation when he became the only player in NBA history to lead the league in three-point field goal percentage twice -- in 1985-86 and 1987-88.

CRAIG HODGES -- Host coach at Whitney clinic.