I've watched full game videos of Wood at Bridgton (they are quite a few available on Youtube).
I believe he's one of those players who think they are way better than they actually are. Not a horrible thing but the kind of player that will constantly leave you scratching your head. Just incredibly poor shot selection.
Maybe, the coach at Bridgeton allowed him to do what he wanted to do (ie, shooting carte' blanche). Of course, the player has to use some form of discretion when taking shots, but some players will do as much as their coach allows.
I had the chance to see him last summer at the Peach Jam, and he showed he could play and excel in that particular setting. I'm sure the staff thought the same.
I also think the only reason we went after him was to snag Kyle.
The staff might've indirectly targeted Wood to help enhance their chances with Anderson. But, Wood was an alternative plan to Katin Reinhardt. If we had landed Reinhardt, then Wood probably would've never announced for St. John's. Wood also has shown that he doesn't particularly has to ride on someone's coat-tail to get high-major offers. Take a look at some of his other offers and that should tell you.
He has incredible leaping ability and the length to be a pesky defender at 2 positions. Plus there is a humbleness about him which is refreshing.
Wood also has incredible leaping ability, as well as possesses the length to be a bothersome defender at the 2 spot. Once again, both players need to shore it up on the defensive end. The potential and lateral ability is there, but they just need to show some consistency.
I have no idea how he cracked Rival's 150 but Felix didn't.
I like Balamou, but I think you're continuing to sell Wood short.
I just feel like kids like Wood come and go. I didn't see "special" with him. He strikes me as a kid who would excel at a mid-major. I wouldn't trust someone like Wood to one day take over for D'Angelo.
It sounds to me like a personal thing, in which you have with Wood. It's your prerogative. I don't think anyone has said anything in the form of "special" when it comes to Wood, so not sure where that is coming from. Wood probably would certainly excel at a mid-major, but do not think for a second that Wood isn't capable of playing on the high-major level.
I'd love to see Wood rejoin the Johnnies after his stint in JUCO. Maybe, you wouldn't trust him to take over for Harrison, but the staff obviously thinks differently.
-The Bridgton coach properly pulled him from the games. Happened in multiple games.
And to me, as a D-1, Big East player, Wood should have somehow stood out amongst the prep competition he was facing at Bridgton. He didn't. He looked rather ordinary. And we're talking about Fall 2011, after the Peach Jam.
-Reinhardt and Wood shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence IMO. You start KR as a Freshmen and get out of his way. Wood is a project who you hope will pan out.
And didn't Wood have an offer from Washington(I forget the other schools- possibly Maryland?). Doesn't say much to me. They went after Pelle too.
-Felix's leaping ability is far better than Wood's. I say Felix is the better athlete and defender. Wood is the better shooter.
-Maybe some of it is personal. But it's not completely out of the dark. I also don't think Amir is that great. It's just my opinion.
There is no word that the staff will still be pursuing Wood when he's finally eligible. Although if he happens to go to the same school as Michael Chandler, it will be likely.
We're all not going to be enamored with every choice the staff makes. They put in more time than we all do.
It's just in Wood's circumstance, I'm more happy that we got Felix than if he and Wood's roles were reversed.