A hometown hero, Utah Jazz shooting guard Rodney Hood is never too far from home.

The Meridian High School product is in town this week for the Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi’s Celebration of Excellence dinner, as well as a two-day camp he’s hosting beginning today. Long-term, Hood has his sights on his sophomore season in the NBA, and he feels the 2014-15 season was a good building block for the future.

“I think it went well,” Hood said of last season, where he averaged 8.7 points, 1.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game. “I think I exceeded a lot of people’s expectations as far as me getting playing time. I went through a little adversity as far as getting hurt, but I finished the season strong, and I’m looking forward to a good second year.”

The injury he referenced was a foot injury he dealt with throughout the season, and he also nursed a shoulder injury during NBA Summer League play. Despite that, he score 41 points in two games in Salt Lake City, and Hood said having a year under his belt help make him more comfortable on the court.

“I was in Utah working out a couple of weeks before (Summer League), just trying to get better and get in the best shape I can and improve on the things I need to improve on,” Hood said. “I think I showed that in the Utah summer league.

“I felt a lot more comfortable. Getting a year under my belt and going into the second season, I’ll be playing a bigger role. They just wanted to see my presence on the court, and I think I did that and have to continue to add to that as I go along.”

Every so often, Hood stops to reflect on the fact that he’s getting an opportunity to live a dream he had since he was young.

“You grow up wanting to be in the NBA and loving basketball, and to get to the highest point, and you get there and play against guys you idolized growing up — it’s surreal,” Hood said. “I’m just trying to live in the moment right now.”

Having played college ball at Mississippi State and Duke before being selected with the 23rd overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, hood said living in Salt Lake City has been a different but enjoyable experience.

“It’s a great city,” Hood said. “It has beautiful mountains, and there are a lot of things to do as far as skiing and rock climbing goes. It’s kind of like the South in their perspective, because there are a lot of good people out there.”

Playing in the Western Conference, Hood has had to guard several standout players, but he said the toughest one to play against is Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, whom Hood described as having a relentless style of play.

“He has so much energy on both ends of the court,” Hood explained. “He comes at you every single play, and he plays so hard. He’s probably the most explosive player in the league right now.”

When he’s not in Utah or on the road playing, Hood spends time with his family at the Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi, and he also sponsors 14 local Amateur Athletic Union basketball teams. His camp today is a chance to teach young players basketball skills and life lessons.

“It’s big for me, because my brother (Ricky Hood Jr.) played in AAU, and he was one of the ones who got to play in Jackson,” Hood said. “I was able to get to Jackson, too, and I just wanted to start one here so some of the kids could get some exposure and get outside of Meridian for once. Whether they’re traveling to Birmingham, Atlanta, New Orleans or wherever, we’re just trying to get them out and give them some motivation when they get back here to Meridian.”

His message to young players? Keep setting goals and taking steps each day to achieve them.

“Just work hard, find something you want to do and go after it,” Hood said. “There’s a lot of temptation in the world that will keep you from going after your dreams, but I always say chase your dream every single day. Write your goals down — that’s a big thing that helped me out when I was a young kid.”

No matter how far from home he his, Hood said he’s constantly reminded of all the people back in Meridian cheering him on.

“Every time I’m in Utah or wherever, my dad always makes sure I know people back here are supporting me,” Hood said. “It’s been fun, and it’s a crazy feeling right now.”

Though it’s early, Hood said he and the rest of his Jazz teammates have high hopes for the 2015-16 season.

“We made some noise after the All-Star break last year, and going into this season, we’re going to try to keep that going,” Hood said. “Hopefully, it will land us in a playoff spot. I’m not saying we will be there, since we’re in the West, but I think if we put the right foot forward, we have a chance.”