Nuggets sign first-round picks Hodge and Kleiza

Denver, CO (Basketball News) - The Denver Nuggets have signed first-round picks Julius Hodge and Linas Kleiza to multi-year contracts. Terms of the deals were not released by the club.

Hodge a 6-7 swingman, was the 20th overall pick in last week’s draft. He averaged 17 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists as a senior at North Carolina State last season and was named ACC Player of the Year as a junior.

Kleiza, a 6-8 forward, was taken as the 27th overall selection by the Portland Trail Blazers. He was then traded to Denver along with the draft rights to Ricky Sanchez, the 35th pick, in exchange for the draft rights to Jarrett Jack, the 22nd selection.

Kleiza was named to the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention Team last season after leading Missouri in both scoring (16.1 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg) as a sophomore.