Re: Wood stats
players often progress.
TA made 58% of his FTs as a freshman and 67% as a soph. This year he hit 73%. He continued to improve. He didn't regress to the mean.
similarly, ANO's free throws went from 47% to 55% to 81%.
we can find stats that show whatever we want. Wood was a 3 star guy on rivals (I only say that because I know some here love to see stars). he had some big offers, too.
from 2011 ------------------------
"Virginia, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Richmond and VCU are the ones really on the list. He's had others who really like him, like Marquette, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt and Clemson, but he told them right away he wasn't interested.
"Michigan, though, with its history and tradition, intrigues him."
Which is why the Wolverines are still in the running for an official visit.
Though only a three-star prospect, Wood's profile has risen exponentially after a summer in which he emerged as more than just a lanky, catch and shoot forward. He's added 15 pounds of muscle by working out twice daily and he's an inch taller than he was a year ago, Shields reported. He's able to get to the rim with ease, can shoot from long range and has proven versatile on defense.
"It was sort of toward the end of last summer that he started to really come alive offensively," Shields said. "I actually took this job last year in August, and at that point he didn't defend real well, was mainly just a catch and shoot guy who didn't handle it great. He worked really hard this year to develop those things.
"He could shoot the ball well, but he couldn't play with his back to the basket at all, and he couldn't get to the rim at all. He had a nice midrange jumper, but on defense, he had never played man to man, and he didn't do well. He's improved all those things. He can get to the rim any time he wants to now. He's learned how to move offensively, and defensively he's gotten a lot better. This summer he was able to guard guys 6-9, 245 and then keep up with quicker guards. I was very impressed."
Wood will excel at the next level in the right system, and Shields has no doubt U-M's would fit his standout. He's got the frame to add healthy weight, the work ethic and the athleticism to continue to improve. He has so much potential, in fact, that some see him as a future pro.
"He knows where he wants to get, and he's working to get there," Shields said.
Despite the distance, U-M should be a player and could well get an official visit.
"Coach [John] Beilein has been talking to him on the phone, and out of all the guys I've talked to in the past year, he's one of the most considerate, outstanding guys I've spoken with," Shields said.
