Published: July 18, 2008 11:17 pm            

Wood eyes new direction

Former Wildkat is transferring to Highland C.C. in Illinois.

By PEDRO VELAZCO — Former Kokomo High School hoops standout Brandon Wood is switching gears for next season. He’s transferring to Highland Community College in Freeport, Ill., following a freshman season at mid-major power Southern Illinois which was cut short by injury.

Wood played six games for Southern Illinois, scoring 15 points in the season opener against Northern Illinois. He averaged 3.7 points per game before suffering a stress fracture that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Eventually, he realized Southern Illinois wasn’t for him.

“It wasn’t really one thing in particular, I just didn’t think it was a good fit for me,” Wood said.

“It got to a point where it wasn’t really a hard decision. [Transferring] was what I thought was best for me.”

Wood received interest from other NCAA Division I colleges but instead opted to head to Highland where he’ll be able to play immediately. Had he transferred to a Division I school, he’d have to sit out a season, meaning he’d go nearly two full seasons without playing.

“I really liked the coach, and their style of play fits me well,” Wood said of the school in northern Illinois.

“It’s like an up-and-down, fast-break, run-and-gun [style]. After this year — I’m sure you know SIU is mainly a defensive team — that part of my game has gotten really better. They [Highland] play the same kind of hard-nosed [defense], really tough.”

He’ll see a familiar face at Highland in the form of former McCutcheon player Lamar Lee, who has also transferred to the school after a year at Indiana State. The two were teammates in AAU play as high schoolers.

“He’s really the one that got me there,” Wood said of Lee. “I thank God, knowing somebody that’s going there. We’ve already got an apartment there. It’s going to be a pretty good situation.”

Wood received a medical redshirt due to his shortened freshman season at Southern Illinois, so after this season at Highland, he’ll be able to transfer to a four-year college and have three seasons of eligibility left.

“I think really the injury may have helped me out for the future,” Wood said. “While I was injured at SIU, they had me in the weight room a lot. My strength has gotten a lot better. I think it’s made me tougher. I’m ready to get back on the court. I’m hungry, anxious to get back on the court.”

        

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