Carleton's Connor Wood
By: Ronny Musikitele
Following last weeks’ inaugural 3D CDN Player of the Week launch, we have continued to follow up with Canadian basketball players all around North America. The 3D Canadian player of the week is a 4X CIS National champion, a sharpshooter, Connor Wood, of the Carleton Ravens.
The Guelph native who is currently the longest tenure Raven on the team is looking to make his final year a remarkable one as he is off to a hot start! In just 3 games Wood is leading the OUA averaging 26.7 points per game. But his points per game is not what the Raven vet is mostly worried about. Being a leader is his main focus. Having his little brother Mitchell Wood join the team this year and being given the role of leadership like most 5th year vets in programs; Wood is hoping to leave a valuable impact on the young Ravens similar to that of former Carleton player's left on Connor.
A book can be written about how dominant and graceful its been to see the Carleton Ravens dominate basketball in Canada over the past decade. So many players are recruited, graduate and fit Dave Smart’s system seamlessly. Perhaps the architect behind the coaching philosophy commends the credit. Connor Wood can certainly be credited as well for doing the same, as he fits perfectly under Coach Smart's program. However, Wood did not settle for being a role-player or just a shooter. He has shown tremendous growth over the years improving in all aspects and does what he is asked to do and perhaps even more than anyone in the CIS.
In 31 minutes on the floor last Friday, Connor Wood led the Ravens to a 79-59 win vs Nipissing Lakers as he finished with a game high 25 points also adding 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Just getting warmed up.
In Saturday’s action against Laurentian Voyageurs Connor showed just why he is the leader of this Ravens squad. The Voyageurs started hot, as they had a 14 point lead at some point in the game. It all quickly changed once Connor went insane from behind the ark - hitting 5 three-pointers in a row! He finished with a game high 39 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Ravens won 88-71.
3D took the time to interview Wood this week as he summed up his performance as:
“The main factors were my teammates getting me the ball in good situations after I got a couple of easy buckets the game became easier seeing the ball go in.”
When asked about his preparation the vet answered:
“Nothing to special just make sure that I make certain shots in warm up and always have some water before the game starts.”
Good luck to Carleton and Connor Wood for the rest of the season. Follow the Ravens below:
