Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles have swooped to bring a major talent to Tyneside and the Vertu Motors Arena ahead of Saturday’s big local derby.

Matt Newby’s second signing of the week looks like a real coup that should add extra dimensions to his expanding roster.

Tierra Hodges is a 5’9” guard/forward that arrives in Newcastle after a star studded collegiate career at Furman University and an excellent rookie campaign last season in Finland.


Hodges who hails from Covington, Georgia in the USA sounds as if she is exactly the type of player that can make an impact in the Women’s British Basketball League.

“Tierra is a versatile player who has had success as a collegiate athlete and this translated well to her first stint in Europe”, said Coach Newby.

“Critically we needed a player who could slide up and down the order and cover several positions whilst remaining highly impactful. Tierra has the capacity to do this and impact the game in a number of ways.”


Hodges comes to Tyneside after an excellent rookie campaign last season at Kouvottaret in Finland’s top-tier of women’s basketball.

Clearly Newby feels he has landed a player that will have a big part to play in the Eagles season and one that he feels can fit in perfectly with his ethos and the League’s demands.

“In college she had strong outputs both in terms of scoring and on the glass which we feel translate well to our needs and this League”, the head coach added.

“She reads the game well and I feel her high calibre makes our rotation more versatile and robust.”

“We look forward to her joining the Eagles.”


Hodges in her senior year at Furman in 2021/22 averaged 18.1 points and 11.8 rebounds a game leading her to winning the Southern Conference Player of the Year award as well as a place in the All-Conference First Team.

Those statistics helped her land a first professional contract with Kouvottaret in Finland last season where she averaged a highly impressive 17.8 points and 9.6 rebounds in her rookie campaign.

Now she comes to Newcastle and she’s excited about the prospect of playing in the Women’s British Basketball League as she explained.

“I’m excited to join the Eagles organisation and create relationships with my teammates, coaches and fans”, said Hodges.

“I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to help The Eagles be successful in any way I can!”

All at the Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles are looking forward to seeing Hodges in action in the famous black and white.

Tickets are available to see Hodges and fellow newcomer Lauren Saiki make their debut in Saturday’s derby clash against Durham Palatinates at the Vertu Motors Arena.