Laura Hodges
A versatile and steadfast pillar of Australian basketball, contributing championship grit on court and advocacy off it.
Born 1983 (age 43)·Australian basketball player·Birthday: December 13·Millennials
Biography
Laura Hodges played for the Adelaide Lightning, the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA, and teams across Europe, building a career defined by reliability, adaptability, and leadership. Born in 1983, the South Australian forward was trusted by coaches in big moments for her high basketball IQ, defensive tenacity, and clutch shooting. Her loyalty to the Lightning made her a cornerstone of the franchise, where her experience guided younger teammates. Beyond the hardwood, she leveraged her respect among peers into a role on the board of the Australian Basketball Players’ Association, advocating for player rights and welfare.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Laura was born in 1983, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Laura Was Born
The biggest hits of 1983
#1 Movie
Return of the Jedi
Best Picture
Terms of Endearment
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Laura's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1983Born
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1988Started school
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1996Became a teenager
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Could drive
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2001Could vote
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Turned 21
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2013Turned 30
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2023Turned 40
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 43 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won a WNBL championship with the Adelaide Lightning in the 2007-08 season.
- Represented Australia with the Opals at the 2012 London Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal.
- Played professionally in top European leagues in France, Turkey, and Hungary.
- Served on the board of the Australian Basketball Players’ Association.
Did You Know?
She played college basketball for the USC Trojans in the NCAA.
She is a qualified pharmacist, having studied at the University of South Australia.
Her sister, Natalie Hurst, is also a professional basketball player who played for the Opals.
“My role is to do the little things that help the team win.”
