Former Duke basketball star Rodney Hood dunks during achilles rehab

Former Duke basketball standout Rodney Hood is progressing very well in his rehab from a ruptured achilles.

Perhaps the most difficult injury to return and recover from is a ruptured achilles, but not only has Rodney Hood put in the work off the court, he is also putting a tremendous amount of work on the court.

The Portland Trail Blazers tweeted a video of the former Duke basketball player rising up to the rim, albeit in a controlled and cautious way as he works his way back to the court.

Hood ruptured his achilles back on December 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers and underwent surgery on December 11.

After the Blazers guard rose for his two-handed slam, he posted the biggest smile in the facility with a mini celebration following his coming back down to the court.

https://twitter.com/trailblazers/status/1278429625367121921?s=20

However, despite the devastating and grueling rehab, Rodney Hood made the best of his time away from the court and returned to Duke (virtually) and completed his degree.

The worldwide pandemic and injury factored into Hood’s decision along with the goal of joining the rest of his family as college graduates.

ALSO READ: Former Duke star returns to school in order to earn a degree

Prior to his injury, and the eventual suspension of the NBA season, Hood started all 21 games for Portland, averaging 11.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 49.3 percent from 3-point range.

Normally a 12-month recovery timetable, the Portland Trail Blazers will be headed down to Orlando for the resumption of the NBA season without Rodney Hood as he continues to recover from his surgery.

The 27-year-old intends to be back with the Trail Blazers next season as he has a $6 million player option for the 2020-21 season. Factoring in everything from Hood’s injury to the pandemic, it would be foolish for the guard not to opt-in with that option.

ALSO READ: Rodney Hood expects to be back in Portland next season

Portland is currently tied for ninth in the Western Conference with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings, three and a half games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 8 seed.

The NBA is scheduled to restart its season on July 30 from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, inside Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.