Some of his contemporaries go for jewels or art, but the Thief of Columbia prefers something with little value, yet irrefutably rewarding.

His name is D’Moi Hodge and he leads the Southeastern Conference in steals.

In fact, only 11 players in the nation average more steals per game than the Mizzou guard’s 2.3, yet only three are from a high-major conference.

Hodge changes the flow of games with his steals. He turned “Braggin’ Rights” into “Grabbin’ Rights” with four swipes in the win against Illinois. He tallied two in two different wins against top-25 teams. He picked three pockets in the important victory against Central Florida. And, in four nonconference games from Nov. 15-26 (all wins), he totaled 20 steals.

If compared to great fictional thieves, Hodge is Robin Hoop. Hands Gruber. He is “Sneakers” in sneakers, “Fast Five” wearing No. 5, or, combining heists with hoops, “A Fish Called Wanda” in “The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh.”

“When I first met him at Cleveland State, he would always say ‘first team,’ meaning first-team all-defense,” said Mizzou guard Ben Sternberg, who played with Hodge at their previous college. “And funny enough, not only did he get first-team all-defense, he won defensive player of the year (honors). His ability to be at the right place at the right time is admirable, but his instincts are something that not too many people have. He takes pride in his abilities defensively — and I unfortunately have been on the other side a couple of times in practice.”

The Tigers (17-6, 5-5 in SEC) very well could go to the NCAA Tournament in coach Dennis Gates’ first season. That’s extraordinary, considering the Tigers went 12-21 just one season ago. But the mastermind Gates has deployed a defensive inundation of opponents, powered by key transfers such as Hodge (who came with Gates from Cleveland State), Nick Honor from Clemson (seventh in SEC, averaging 1.8 steals) and JUCO standout Sean East II (14th in SEC, averaging 1.4 steals).

Mizzou is second in the nation (the whole nation!) with 10.7 steals per game (trailing only the ball-hawking Hawks of Maryland-Eastern Shore).

“With the defensive system we have at Mizzou, it’s mostly being in the gaps,” Hodge said by phone. “So being in the gaps helps me to get deflections. We have something called box management. Ryan Sharbaugh (a special assistant to Gates) always talks about me getting 10 deflections a half. Deflections consists of tip passes, blocked shots, a ‘Rodman,’ which is like an offensive rebound where you tap it out (if you can’t catch the rebound). So that was mostly my focus going into games — and sometimes they come into steals for my teammates or me. I try to get (at least) my fingernails on a pass. … One of my biggest strengths is instincts.”

Growing up, he soaked up what would become his style by watching his cousin. D’Moi was raised on Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands (population around 24,000). His cousin is Halstead “J.R.” Chiverton, who played for the BVI national team, as well as in a local league.

“Watching him play encouraged me to be part of basketball,” Hodge said. “He was an energetic guy, would bring all the energy, be everywhere (on the court) and play hard.”

Hodge grew to be the same height (6 feet 4) as his cousin. Hodge played at State College of Florida and Cleveland State, where his penchant for steals earned him the Horizon League’s defensive player of the year honors in 2022. Perhaps the SEC will give him the same honor later in 2023? After all, his 2.3 steals per game is second-highest in Mizzou history, trailing Stefhon Hannah from 2006-07 (2.4).

Of his 54 steals, Hodge said his favorite came early in a win against No. 12 Iowa State. Wearing a throwback “Block M” jersey, Hodge momentarily mirrored Lynn Hardy (2.2 steals in 1986-87), while twisting a Cyclone. Hodge rattled guard Gabe Kalscheuer, who averages 1.6 turnovers per game but committed six in Columbia.

During this first half play, Kalscheuer’s crossover dribble was deflected by D’Moi. Hodge scooped up the ball and scurried downcourt, where he delivered a behind-the-back pass to Mohamed Diarra for a dunk.

“That was a big one for me with the fans’ reaction, the hype level,” Hodge said.

In Mizzou’s most recent game, a loss Saturday at Mississippi State, Hodge still plundered possession three times. (In Mississippi, I bet he could even steal Magnolias). And Hodge could very well tally more steals in Tuesday’s game against the Gamecocks — South Carolina commits the third-most turnovers per game in the conference.

Incidentally, because this is the last paragraph of the column, I should also make a point to point out his points per game —14.2, second-most on Mizzou’s roster. But when to comes to steals, The Thief of Columbia is the SEC’s best Cat (and Gator and Bulldog) burglar.