Although he has been in Columbia with the South Carolina men’s basketball team for over a year, Seventh woods‘career with Gamecocks starts on Sunday afternoon. The senior guard will certainly be a factor in opening the season against Liberty at the Hall of Fame Classic.
When he steps on wood, wearing the colors of his hometown team, Woods’ mentality is to achieve a victory. While that goal will be in front of the head coach Frank Martinin the mind of also, Gamecocks’ head coach in ninth year is a hopeful game and the rest of the games that follow are filled with individual success for Woods.
“Basically, in two or three years, I hope to be able to sit and smile, because Seventh had the success it deserved at the university level,” said Martin. “He participated in the victory in North Carolina, he had great lessons there and he grew tremendously as a person. Selfishly, now I want him to succeed in basketball as a player, not only from the point of view of victory, but from the point of view of production ”.
Woods experienced the greatest team success at the university level. As a real freshman in the 2016-17 season, he broke the school record by playing in all 40 games for Tar Heels and won a national championship. Despite his star status outside college, getting a star role at Chapel Hill avoided him for his next two years on campus.
He played 54 games combined with a start in his second and third year seasons. Throughout his career with Tar Heels (94 games), he averaged 8.7 minutes, 1.8 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.
Woods was transferred to South Carolina and spent the last season out of the spotlight. His time spent around the game was at the training facility. Now eligible to play and fight to be the starting point guard for the team, he is back in the spotlight ready to play.
“He’s an unbelievable guy, an unbelievable boy,” said Martin. “He is playing aggressively. That’s the best word I can use. He’s not being passive. He will have some moments when he will be a little casual. Every time he gets casual, he hears my voice in the background.
“He is a great teammate and has a good time in training. He’s been everything I hoped it would be when he and I met and talked about going back (home). I think he’s excited to wear that Gamecock uniform and represent our team, our school and his community. “
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Woods will make his debut as a player, but playing basketball for Martin is nothing new.
“Being able to sit back and learn everything, the system and get used to a new coaching staff, was great,” said Woods. “Playing for Frank, he’s a tough guy, but he protects you in everything. That’s what makes it easier to play for a guy like that.”
The Gamecocks and Flames tip at 4pm on ESPNEWS.