STARS ALIGN Seventh Woods finally ready to make an impact at South Carolina
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By Jeff Owens | Executive Editor • Photos by Allen Sharpe
eventh Woods had been a basketball star since he was 12 years old. When he was a high school freshman, a video on YouTube proclaimed him “The BEST 14 Year Old In The Country!” The highlight
reel of spectacular dunks and amazing plays attracted nearly 16 million views. Frank Martin once compared him to Zion Williamson, saying he was “Zion before Zion.” By the time he was a senior at Hammond School in Columbia,
20 BASKETBALL • SEVENTH WOODS
Woods was considered the best contributions to a young group high school point guard in the that upset three top-10 teams country. and meshed into a dangerous So you can imagine how unit despite dealing with a incredibly difficult it was for host of injuries to key players. Woods to sit on the bench for Woods’ leadership and team-first three seasons at North Carolina attitude was no surprise to Marand then sit out as a redshirt last tin, who recruited him heavily in year after transferring to South high school. Carolina. “The part no one ever wanted “I love to play basketball, to talk about is what a great so any time I am sitting on the teammate he is,” Martin said. “I bench and I can’t check into the remember going to Hammond game, it’s definitely tough for and here’s this kid that everyone is me,” Woods said prior to last telling the world how great he is, season. “But it’s about staying yet his teammates and his coaches focused and staying confident just really, really enjoyed being and staying patient.” around him. That’s the thing that That was Woods’ approach attracted me the most to him. last season as he served as a valuIt wasn’t his talent, it wasn’t his able role model for his younger jumping, it wasn’t his dunking, teammates. After transferring, it wasn’t his YouTube videos, it Martin encouraged him to sit wasn’t passing and shooting. It out last season, was a combinalearn Martin’s tion of all those system and things and who prepare for his was as a teamThe last month he senior season in mate. That’s what 2020-21. Martin got me excited of the season, believed the about him. he was starting highly recruited “And it’s been star and former to practice at a no different since Tar Heel needed he got here. Our high, high level younger players to get away from the spotlight, reagain and I was really, really group and “just respect him and excited for what he’s developed be at peace with his team.” I was seeing and real good relaWoods tionships with the confidence embraced that his teammates.” approach. After he was starting choosing “We wanted North to show every to sit out and just Carolina over focus on me getGamecocks, day on the court. the ting back into a Woods’ career in groove,” he said. the ACC did not – FRANK MARTIN “Coming in and go as expected. learning a new He played in all system, we didn’t 40 games as a want to rush freshman, but anything, so just use this year as averaged just eight minutes per a sit-out year and rebuilding year game. As a sophomore, he missed and come out next year and give 17 games with a broken bone it all I’ve got.” in his right foot. In three years, So Woods spent the season Woods averaged just 1.8 points sitting, learning and leading. and 1.5 assists in 8.7 minutes per His focus was not only learngame while backing up two NBA ing Martin’s system but helping lottery picks at point guard. lead a young team that finished After transferring, Woods 18-13 (10-8 in the SEC) and was spent last season mimicking the fighting for a spot in the NCAA point guard or top-scoring guard Tournament before the postseaon rival teams during practice to son tournaments were canceled help his team prepare for upcomdue to the coronavirus. ing games. A three-year veteran, When the season was over, he was often a coach on the floor, Woods drew high praise for his helping young players figure out
MAY 2020
