For the first time since the 2002-2003 season, the Nimitz Cougars have made it to the fourth round of the playoffs. Leading the charge is senior point guard Eric Woods.
“Eric is a special player. He has worked extremely hard, and without his leadership we wouldn’t be anywhere near this. He can shoot the ball as well as put it on the floor. His teammates love him, he’s just an all-around great kid,” said Cougars head coach Tigee Rideaux.
In the off-season, Woods worked extremely hard for an opportunity to take his talent to the next level. Written on his Twitter is the quote, “Everything I’m not made me everything I am.”
“In previous years I’ve been criticized for not being a dominant defensive player, so I worked every day to better my footwork and learned how to sit down and play aggressive defense without fouling,” said Woods.
Woods later began to work out with Coach Marco who worked with him on form shooting, getting to his spots, knowing reads, and getting downhill when defenders are playing aggressively.
“I feel I developed my game later than other players,” said Woods. “I knew basketball, but I feel I learned how to play my game during the end of my junior year.”
Watching players like Kentucky’s Rob Dillingham and Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving, Woods found inspiration to continue refining his game.
“Coming into college I liked how Rob Dillingham’s confidence became stronger. He was able to break down defenses, make the right reads, and get his shot off. Both he and Kyrie Irving do a good job at playing in the system, but also getting their teammates involved as well,” said Woods.
Eric Woods
IG: @ericwoods2024
Twitter: @E_Woods3
Position: Point guard
Height & weight: 6-feet-0, 185 pounds
Players he studies: Rob Dillingham (the University of Kentucky), Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks)
Status: Committed to Southwestern Christian College
Favorite artist: G Herbo
Favorite subject: English
Shout-outs: Coach Rideaux, Coach Kemp, mom, dad, teammates, sister
Woods began playing basketball for I9 sports when he was six years old. For middle school, he attended Legacy for 7th grade but transferred to Teague Middle School for 8th grade. Woods attends Nimitz High School where he is a four-year varsity letterman.
“Tenth grade we got a new head coach, Coach Rideaux. I began to play more minutes as we were playing in a different system. Previously we were playing an inside-out style because we had bigger players down low, but sophomore season we began to play more outside in,” said Woods.
Woods knew he had something special when he saw the excitement in his father.
“My pops has always been the one that made me feel like I had something special with basketball. With him pushing me to get better and always being in my corner, that let me know I had something special,” said Woods.
During his junior season, Woods became a more aggressive player as he played alongside Javarious Thompson. Nimitz finished the season with a 9-5 district record before losing in the first round of playoffs 67-66 to College Park. At the end of the season, Javarious Thompson transferred to Legacy, leaving more leadership responsibilities on the shoulders of Woods.
Woods took to the off-season to work even harder on his game. His senior season he was back, and unlike other years where he struggled with confidence, Woods was ready to lead his team to a historic first. During his senior season, Woods embarked on a scoring title as he scored his 1,000th point.
“I knew it was something I could do,” said Woods. “It was one of my goals before I left the school. Scoring 1,000 points is not that easy. I feel like you have to dedicate yourself to scoring the ball to get 1,000 points, but was a good feeling getting the ball and the trophy.”
Woods understands that for him to be as effective on the next level, he will need to work on playing defense and finishing through contact. Next season he will be playing at Southwestern Christian College where he plans to major in computer science.
“I chose Southwestern Christian College because it was one of the colleges that reached out to me and stayed in contact. They made me feel wanted. It’s also far enough but not too far so my family can still come and see me play,” said Woods.
Woods reflects on the advice given to him by his mother when he looks back to encourage the next generation of players.
“Keep your head down, block out the noise, and just work. Your time is coming,” said Woods. “Stay humble, stay focused, keep working, and have fun.”
