Things just went from bad to worse for Northwestern Men’s Basketball.
Montverde Academy forward and the ’Cats’ top commit in the 2026 recruiting class, Jayden Hodge, will miss the rest of his senior season after suffering a torn ACL, according to an Instagram story statement his dad, Odell Hodge, posted Wednesday afternoon.
Jayden Hodge will undergo surgery “at a later date” and begin recovery immediately after, Odell Hodge wrote.
“While this is not the outcome any athlete hopes for, Jayden remains in good spirits and is already focused on the work ahead,” the Instagram statement read.
When Jayden Hodge inked his commitment to NU in November, he was ranked No. 79 in the country and became the team’s highest-ranked recruit in the modern era, according to 247 Sports. After leading St. Rose High School to a Shore Conference Tournament Championship last year, the Belgian forward transferred to Montverde Academy with development at the forefront of his decision, he told The Daily in October.
Jayden Hodge selected NU over other notable schools such as Vanderbilt University and Georgetown University. Before his injury, he had averaged over 11 points across six games for Montverde.
While his return timeline is unclear, it is a devastating setback for a player who is scheduled to make his highly anticipated arrival to Evanston in the fall.
“This isn’t how I wanted my season to go, but I’m staying positive and focused on my recovery,” Jayden Hodge said in the statement. “I’m committed to the process and doing the work every day to come back better and stronger.”
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