inaugural Whitney Basketball Clinic last month, signed with Italian first-division team Clear Cantu, club officials announced yesterday.

Hodges, 33, replaces Pace Mannion, who joined Benetton Treviso. Hodges will play at the orders of Spanish coach Antonio Diaz Miguel.

The former NBA player saw action with four clubs -- the San Diego Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Bulls -- during a career which spanned 10 seasons. Along the way he developed a solid reputation as one of the game's best long-range shooting specialists.

While coaching the basketball clinic in Bermuda, Hodges said he was looking at offers from several pro teams including Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. He also said he was looking at offers from a few European clubs.

CRAIG HODGES -- Ex-NBA player is heading for the Italian League.