Local News

D’Moi Hodge Interviewed With 19 NBA Teams

Published

3 years ago

April 22, 2023

Editor

There’s a positive energy in D’Moi Hodge’s camp following his recent MBA showcase in Virginia, United States.

The British Virgin Islands guard has so far done interviews with 19 different NBA teams, proudly sharing his story – an island boy who has battled challenges for a chance to play in the NBA.

“So 30 NBA teams were there, NBA scouts, every NBA team was there. So I played three games. I went two in one. The one game we lose…we lose in double overtime. I averaged 19 points, I shot 50 (percent) from the three point line, 50 percent, 50 percent from the field goal, which is great. So there’s 30 NBA teams. I did 19 NBA interviews… with 19 different teams, which is great. Five teams called (but) I couldn’t put it in my schedule. I was too busy. I had 24 Interviews, but I did 19 of them. Talked about my stories, where I come from. Big up Tortola. They all loved my story, they all loved me,” he shared during a recent Live Facebook feed.

His performance caught the attention of sports writers and scouts. A writer from Noceilingnba wrote:

“His hands at the point of attack are dangerous, and he’ll poke the ball loose any time the opposing guard isn’t careful. Hodge is also a gifted scorer and he was letting it fly from three.”

At the moment, the 6′ 4″, 188 pounds former University of Missouri Tiger is waiting to see what happens next.

“So as of right now, I’m waiting to see what’s going on. I’m probably going to get invited to Chicago for the draft combine,” he shared. The NBA Draft Lottery and NBA Draft Combine is in Chicago in May.

The 2022 Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year is staying in shape, working hard on and off the court to impress the right people in the NBA.

“I’m going to Boston to work out for the Celtics next week. Then I’m going to work out for…the Grizzlies. Then I’m going to work out for San Antonio. More teams are calling. And I’m arranging everything so everything is looking good. But everything is straight right now man, every team looking real promising. I mean, gotta keep working.”

In April, Hodge announced he was entering the NBA draft following one of the Missouri Tiger’s most successful campaigns in years during the 2022-23 season. He finished second on the team with 14.7 points per game, establishing a new school record with 91 steals.

Hodge is the fifth Tiger to make 100 3-pointers in a single season and ranks fourth nationally with 2.60 steals per game, 32nd with 2.86 triples per game and 37th with a three-point clip of 40.0.

He thanks God, his family, friends and the wider BVI community for their continued support.

“God is always first. I interviewed with this NBA team. I ain’t going to call the team name… and I told him about the story…my story, like the hurricane and…about everything that happened when I was…in Tortola. One of the NBA team scouts that was interviewing me. He came up to me after the interview, like it was like, probably a couple hours after and called my phone. He wants to talk to me. So I had seen him at a restaurant, he was like “can I talk to you?” And he was like, I want to pray for you and your island and your family. So he prayed for me and the island of Tortola and stuff like that. So I feel like…I’m looking real good. He took his time to pray for me. That’s just how I feel like God is working. I mean, he didn’t have to come back to me later that night to do that.”

Hodge is staying grounded, but was happy to hear from NBA teams that “I should get drafted, in their opinion, but I was saying it’s not their choice, but they said they feel like I should. So hopefully I do get drafted. I’m going to be at the draft. I want to get my name called for the island, not just for me, but for the BVI. I mean, being first to ever do that. That’s the main goal for me just getting drafted. Not for me, but for everybody back home… supporting me.”

He has been described as a tenacious player who is comfortable on the dribble and able to move into shots effortlessly.

But Hodge is up against a group of very talented players from the United States and across the globe who are all working for a spot in the NBA.

“I see the motivation man. It’s never pressure when you love doing it and the winning hand is bigger than you. I’m saying it’s always, always been bigger than me. So I never looked at it as pressure on my whole life so I can’t do it now.”

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Local News

`You Don’t Get to Pick Who Votes for You’ — Cline Defends NDP Process as Constitutional

Published

1 hour ago

April 23, 2026

Editor

Former interim chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP) John Cline rejected claims by former House of Assembly member Mark Vanterpool regarding alleged improprieties in the party’s delegate selection process during a live Facebook broadcast on April 23.

The remarks followed the April 18 convention at which Marlon A. Penn was re-elected chairman and Melvin Mitch Turnbull was elected deputy chairman.

Vanterpool, in a letter dated April 9, raised concerns about whether delegates in districts 1, 5 and 7 were selected through properly convened district association meetings and whether the process complied with the party’s constitution. He also questioned the eligibility of certain participants and suggested delaying the finalization of the delegate list to allow additional meetings.

In response, Cline said the process followed the party’s constitutional framework, emphasizing that district associations — not candidates — are responsible for selecting delegates.

“To suggest there was something unfair at the convention level is irresponsible,” Cline said during a public address. “No candidate has any right to select delegates — that is the sole responsibility of the district associations.”

Cline confirmed that each district association is tasked with sending delegates to the convention and that candidates are required to campaign for those delegates’ votes once selected.

“You don’t get to pick who votes for you — that’s not how a democratic process works,” he said. “One hundred and twenty-one delegates made a decision, and that decision must be respected.”

The exchange between the two men followed a closely contested leadership election. Penn secured 65 votes to retain the chairmanship, while Vanterpool received 39 votes and Ronnie W. Skelton received 17. Turnbull was elected deputy chairman with 64 votes, defeating Myron V. Walwyn, who received 57.

Cline also addressed the concerns in a written response, stating that the NDP constitution establishes district associations as responsible for political organization at the district level and for putting forward delegates. He noted that while the constitution does not prescribe a specific meeting solely for delegate selection, it implies that such decisions should arise from properly convened association meetings.

“The preferred and constitutionally consistent approach is that delegates emerge from properly convened association processes,” Cline wrote.

He further clarified that membership in district associations is based on residency and that both association officers and delegates should come from within their respective districts.

Cline said the party’s executive committee has authority to ensure district associations remain functional and may facilitate meetings where necessary to maintain compliance with the constitution. He added that the concerns raised by Vanterpool were reviewed and that guidance was issued to relevant districts.

The matter gained public attention after both Vanterpool’s letter and Cline’s response were circulated.

Cline rejected suggestions that the dispute reflects broader instability within the party.

“The party is not breaking up — the core is strong,” he said. “This is not a game. The politics of this country is not a playground.”

The NDP has maintained that the convention was conducted in accordance with its constitution and that the outcome reflects the will of the delegates as the party prepares for the next general election.

Crime/Police

Tarik Aaron Arrested on USVI Extradition Warrant

Published

21 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Editor

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.

According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.

Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.

Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.

Local News

Civil Registry Announces Increase in U.K. Passport Fees Effective April 8

Published

22 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Editor

The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.

According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.

Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.

The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.

The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.