5 Questions with David Wood

by Andrew Golding

Lifelong NBA journeyman David Wood is now playing with Athletes In Action, a religious organization which travels the country spreading the word of Christ. A favorite of the NBA's most devout fans, Wood has played on five different NBA teams - he is the only player to play on all three Texas teams - and last saw action with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1996-1997, where he averaged 1.2 ppg and 1.1 rpg in 46 appearances. This year, he was cut in training camp by the Bucks and San Antonio Spurs.

Wood is known for his scrappy, physical style of play, and frequent altercations with opposing players, most often Charles Barkley.

In an interview conducted in the Michigan Union Ballroom - after the team's post-game meeting with fellow Crusade for Christ devotees, and victory over U-M - Wood spoke with the Review's Andrew Golding.

His high school basketball memories: "I was 6'1", 124 pounds when I was in high school. My last name was Wood. They nicknamed me 'Splinter,' 'Toothpick,' 'The Stick Man' - don't laugh - I didn't like that one. It was a bummer being skinny."

His most memorable moment in the NBA: "When I was with the Houston Rockets, we were playing the L.A. Clippers, and I got the ball with six seconds left. We were down by three, and I turned and shot a 40-footer that hit nothing but net. That was great."

His frequent battles/wrestling matches with Charles Barkley, who once stated that "if the referees call the game right, there's no way David Wood can guard me." "I fight like a cornered dog to keep him away from the basket. I bump him, chest him; he really gets frustrated and upset, and then he tries to clobber me. I am excellent at drawing attention from the referees when players like Charles are trying to clobber me."

On the key to drawing calls from officials: "The fact of the matter is, in basketball it doesn't matter if you get fouled or not, it's how it appeared to the official."

On Dennis Rodman: "I think Madonna taught him a few tricks about publicity." MR