Inside Look: A Conversation with Scott Wood

(‘Inside Look’ is our newest column written by former Wolfpack manager Tyler White. Tyler attended NC State from 2009 to 2013 and worked with the basketball team as a student manager and as the head student manager his senior year under Coach Gottfried’s staff.)

Little John’s Coliseum. 7.5 seconds left in the game. N.C. State down by 2. A familiar play is drawn up for the all-time leader of made 3-pointers in N.C. State history, Scott Wood. The ball is inbounded to Lorenzo Brown while Scott lures his defender baseline. Hooking back around a Richard Howell screen, Scott is open for one of his 334 career makes from deep. As the ball clears the net the bench erupts-including myself. Seriously, check the video. State would go on to win this game by one.

When Scott arrived on campus in 2009 I don’t think many people expected him to have many all-time records under his belt by graduation. Hanging up his jersey after four years on the N.C. State roster, however, Scott had made his mark in the history books. At the end of his college basketball career he achieved the following bests at N.C. State:
• Minutes Played (4,318)
• Games Played (138)
• Games Started (136)
• 3-Pointers Attempted (809)
• 3-Pointers Made (334)
• Free Throw % (88.5)
• Free Throw % Single Season (91.4)

Scott and I joined the Wolfpack family at the same time. As we spent countless hours together in practice, on road trips, and at games, we became friends and still keep in touch to this day. As many of you know, Scott is currently playing for UCAM Murcia in the Spain ACB league. I recently had the opportunity to ask him what he has been up to, how he is adjusting to professional basketball, and life in a new culture.

What’s your favorite part about playing basketball professionally?
Not having to wear a suit and sitting at a desk from 9 to 5, just not my style. Plus I get to play the sport I love for a living.

What’s been the biggest adjustment living in Spain opposed to living in the US?
Just being away from my family and girlfriend. They came to a lot of games at State. Also not having any American restaurants, my favorites are B-Dubs, Red Lobster, and Chili’s.

What are the fans like?
The fans are actually great! Not nearly as many as we had at the PNC, but they too are loud and rambunctious.

What’s been your most memorable game to date professionally? Why?
Bilbao. Didn’t play well at all but hit a game winner.

How would you describe your teammates? Have they accepted you?
Yeah I would say so; it was bumpy at the start because I haven’t played with any of the guys before, not knowing their strengths and what their tendencies were. At state I played with the same core for most of my 4 years. My transition has been difficult but a fun one.

Learned Spanish?
Si Senor

Do you plan on coming back to Raleigh?
I’m going to try. It’s going to be a busy summer with training and visiting family.

Will you take part in any of the summer pick up games at the Dail Center? What former players do you want to team up with?
I don’t think I want to play with anyone; I just want to beat them! They all talk a lot of trash, so I want to win so I don’t end up in Twitter talk…Cough Cough Julius Hodge.

What was your favorite thing about playing at N.C. State?Everything. I enjoyed the classes that were after 11:15 as well as all the friendships that I developed. The absolute best college fans on earth. The post game interviews….” Has your wife every cheated on you??” The ups and downs that have helped make me a better person as well as a better athlete. Our coaching staff which taught me so much on and off the court. Personally I wouldn’t trade my experience at N.C. State for anything. It was wonderful.