Scott Wood: Senior Season Recap and Interview

Scott Wood knows how to win...period. This three-year starter led the Marion Giants to a 21-4 record this season while pacing them with 24.8ppg. Scott definitely left his dent in the Marion record books. His 1,309 points land him at 9th All-Time in the Giant's storied school history. He also finished his career as the school's deadliest free-throw shooter as well as the most prolific three-point threat the school has ever seen.

We have mentioned this in the past and we will reiterate it again, Coach Lowe is bringing in winners, players who understand how to finish games. Scott Wood fits the bill to a tee. He has helped lead Marion to three straight North Central Conference championships, three straight Class 4-A Sectional championships, and three straight appearances in the Regional Championship game (The Giants were Regional Champs in '07 and '08, they lost in the Regional Championship game this season.). They also made it to the State Title game last season only to lose at the buzzer.

Scott's performance this past season didn't go unnoticed by any means. Scott was one of the finalists for the Mr. Basketball award in Indiana, and he was also named to the AP First-Team All-State squad. Here is the rest of the crew joining Wood on the First-Team: Indiana's Mr. Basketball Jordan Hulls (Committed to Indiana, 4-Star recruit, SR, PG), power forward Derek Elston (Committed to Indiana, 4-Star recruit, SR), small forward D.J. Byrd (Committed to Purdue, 3-Star recruit, SR), and power forward sensation DeShaun Thomas (Committed to Ohio State, 5-Star recruit, JR). Being dubbed First-Team All-State in Indiana is an unbelievable accolade. Indiana and High School basketball are attached at the hip, it's historically been a hot bed of top national talent for years.

Scott also will be playing this Sunday at 4pm in the annual Indiana North vs. South All-Star Game where he looks to help carry the North team, seeing that his 24.8 season scoring average is the highest on his team's roster.

We actually got the chance to catch up with Scott last night. We thought that he, better than anyone else, could help us give a recap of this past season and a forecast of his future. One of our goals here at Wolfpack Hoops is to help you learn more about Pack players, not only on the floor, but off as well. Have fun getting to know Mr. Wood a little bit better:

WolfpackHoops: What was it about NC State that compelled you to commit to them?

Wood: One of the big things for me was the fact that Julius was down there. When Coach Towe and Coach Lowe were recruiting Julius I got to see how they carried themselves and how they went about their business and I was really impressed. I also loved the fact that I could go from Indiana, which is a top-notch high school basketball state, to a top-notch college basketball area like Tobacco Road. I was also excited to go from a high school that is rich with history and tradition to a college like NC State that is also rich with history and tradition.

WolfpackHoops: How often do you speak with the Pack coaching staff and what have they been telling you?

Wood: I talk to Coach Towe quite often and I also talk with Coach Lowe once every week or two. They have been really challenging me to work on my leadership skills and they have given me a lot of good advice. It's really awesome to learn leadership from two of the best point guards to ever play college basketball. I've typically been the type of guy that leads by example. This past season, with Julius being gone, I had to grow as a leader. I had to take on more of a vocal role.

WolfpackHoops: What are you looking forward to the most about getting down to NC State?

Wood: When I get down to there I know everyone is going to push me and make me play harder. We have a lot of talent up here in Indiana, but there is no competition like the ACC. More than anything I'm excited because I know I am going to learn and get better.

WolfpackHoops: This past season had to be a stretching season for you due to the fact that you played a majority of the year at the point guard position, which has not been your normal position on the wing. We talked with your Coach a couple weeks back and we discussed how we thought that one day you would look back on this season and realize how much it shaped you as a player. What do you think?

Wood: I think playing point guard this past season is really going to help me a lot in the future. I think at my height (6'6) being able to dribble the ball up the court will make me more diverse. I probably will be playing the 3, or even some at the 2, in the future and being able to put the ball on the floor will be really important.

WolfpackHoops: Is there any player that you have tried to pattern your game after?

Wood: I've actually never tried to mimic or imitate any particular player. However, the other day my dad and I were actually sitting around talking about this exact same thing. My dad and I actually decided that my game is very similar to Ray Allen's and Josh Howard's.

WolfpackHoops: We really want the Wolfpack Nation to get to know Scott beyond the realm of basketball. Tell us Scott, what defines you as a person?

Wood: I would say that I have pretty good character. I enjoy trying to be a good role model for the young kids here at Marion. My family is also very important to me and it has been hard because all of my extended family has moved away from here. I also have a 3.5 GPA and I will be majoring in Civil Engineering at NC State. Actually when I was looking at colleges that was one of the most important things for me. My dad always told me that you are going to want to go to a school that has the major that you are interested in. The fact that NC State is a really strong engineering was really important to me.

WolfpackHoops: If you could give a shout out to the Wolfpack Nation what would you tell them?

Wood: I know that we haven't made the tournament in awhile but Coach Lowe is putting the pieces together and he is bringing in winners. I think there is no need to worry. I believe that Coach Lowe knows what he is doing. I'm going to NC State to win games. I'm going to NC State to win National Championships. I committed to NC State because I want to be a good player on a great team.


Earlier this season someone at ESPN stated that in a couple years people will look back and realize that Scott Wood was the biggest sleeper in the 2009 class. We can't wait to see that prophecy come to fruition. Scott is a tremendous talent and a tremendous young man. We are privileged at NC State to have Scott Wood donning the Red and White. Thanks Scott!

April 1, 2009