updated 12:07 a.m. ET April 9, 2006

DENVER - Denver Nuggets rookie guard Julius Hodge was shot and wounded early Saturday while driving on a highway after visiting a nightclub but is expected to make a full recovery, officials said.

Sheriff’s deputies said the 22-year-old player was struck in his lower body. The team said he was in fair condition.

Adams County Sheriff Doug Darr said Hodge visited the Paladium club, where hip-hop artist Juelz Santana performed Friday night, but the motive for the shooting wasn’t known and no suspects were in custody.

“We don’t have any information or indication now that there was an altercation earlier,” Darr said. He said it was too soon to say whether the shooting was random.

Nuggets coach George Karl said he believes Hodge was hit three times in his legs.

“The preliminary reports are that he’s going to be fine. He should be able to play again in two to three weeks,” Karl said.

Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said Hodge was in good spirits.

“He’s obviously a little shaken up, but he’s doing fine,” Vandeweghe said.

Hodge was on Interstate 76 in north Denver at about 2 a.m. when another vehicle pulled alongside and someone inside fired several shots, Adams County Sheriff’s Sgt. Louis Dixon said. A passenger in Hodge’s vehicle flagged down another motorist, who took Hodge and the passenger to the hospital.

Darr said Hodge’s passenger was “mildly injured.” Darr would not identify the hospital.

Witnesses told investigators two people may have been in the shooter’s car.

Dixon said investigators don’t know the name of the motorist who stopped and are hoping that motorist and any other witnesses come forward.

Dixon said Hodge’s passenger has been interviewed and is not a suspect. He declined to release the passenger’s name and would not say what kind of vehicle Hodge was driving, but Paladium manager Jose Ramirez said he thought it was a black or navy BMW 7-series.

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Ramirez said Hodge and Santana both arrived at the club around 11 p.m. and that Hodge spent most of his time with Santana, even getting on stage.

“I’ve checked with every one of my security guys and no one saw him arguing with anyone,” Ramirez said. He said Hodge left around 1:45 a.m.

“Apparently Julius did nothing to provoke this at all,” Vandeweghe said.

The mood was somber at the Nuggets’ shootaround before Saturday night’s game against Golden State in Denver.

“There was a bit of trauma hitting us this morning. We were really solemn, crying,” Karl said. “Right now we are just happy that everything is OK.”

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