Christian Wood has come a long way to become a respected and valued player. Now he plays the center position for the Houston Rockets and is given proper game time. But he had to earn his place in the NBA in a more difficult way than most of the players.
Christian Wood – Early Life
Christian Marquise Wood was born on September 27, 1995, in Long Beach, California. Wood initially began his high school career at Los Alamitos High School, but moved and transferred to Knight High School in Palmdale, California after one year. He then went on to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada for the duration of his senior year.
During this time, he was instrumental in helping Findlay win 54 consecutive games and an ESPN National High School Invitational championship in 2012. Wood was highly regarded among scouts: Rivals ranked him as the No. 36 overall player and No. 8 at his position; Scout listed him at No. 10; while ESPN listed him as the No. 71 prospect overall.
Christian Wood – Findlay College Prep
For his senior year, Christian Wood transferred to Findlay College Prep in Henderson, Nevada to participate in the basketball program. As part of the Pilots team, he won 54 consecutive games and an ESPN National High School Invitational championship of 2021. He was considered a great prospect, number 36 in the 2013 class.
Christian Wood – UNLV
Christian Wood attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for two years. For his freshman season, he made an appearance in 30 games in which he averaged 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds. His sophomore season was an increase both in playing time and scoring, as he averaged 15.7 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, and 2.7 blocked shots per game. He was selected to the All-Mountain West first team.
Christian Wood – Philadelphia 76ers
As Christian Wood made himself eligible for 2015, he was projected to be a late pick, but he went undrafted. It was devastating for the young player, as he already made reservations in a restaurant for his friends and family to celebrate his success. To make matters worse, his girlfriend dumped him after the draft.
But it wasn’t over. He played for the Houston Rockets in the 2015 NBA Summer League. His performance earned him a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Christian Wood made his NBA debut on October 28, 2015, as he played five minutes and made two rebounds. As a rookie, he was assigned to the Delaware 87ers to take part in the NBA Development League games. The Sixers waived him on January 4, 2016.
Christian Wood – G League
The Delaware 87ers signed with Christian Wood two days after he was waived. He was to come back to the 87ers every time he was waived, as the Sixers signed a 10-day contract with Wood on March 4, 2016, just to drop him after three days.
He made visible progress with the G League and the Sixers called him back on March 27, supposedly to play with them for another ten days. This run earned him a contract until the end of the season and for the 2016 NBA Summer League.
Christian Wood – Charlotte Hornets
For the 2016-17 season, Wood joined the Charlotte Hornets. He debuted with two rebounds in just three minutes of the game and helped the Hornets to win over the Indiana Pacers, on November 7, 2016. As before, he was often sent back to their G-League affiliate, Greensboro Swarm.
Christian Wood – Delaware 87ers
Due to his second season being a team option, Wood entered free agency after his sophomore NBA season. He again participated in the 2017 NBA Summer League, playing for the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks won the Summer Championships in Orlando.
Still looking for his path and professional recognition, Wood signed with Fujian Sturgeons to move to China and play for the Chinese Basketball Association, but he never played with them. The team waived the player and Wood went back to the Delaware 87ers.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ management signed Wood on August 14, 2018, just to waive him on March 18, 2019. Two days later he was offered a position with the New Orleans Pelicans, with whom he finally could have some time on the court, upon the departure of Nikola Mirtotic and Anthony Davis’ need to be traded.
He debuted on March 24, 2019, with 8 minutes of gameplay, in which he posted 7 points. On March 23, he established his career-high, putting up 23 points, grabbing nine rebounds, blocking six shots and having three steals and one assist, in 32 minutes he played. He certainly gave a great performance, but the Pelicans still waived him on July 15, 2019.
Christian Wood – Detroit Pistons
The Pistons decided to give Wood a shot and signed with him on July 17, 2019. In March, he contributed 30 points and 11 rebounds in a game against the Utah Jazz. Sadly, the season was cut short for Wood as for the COVID-19 outbreak. It was reported on March 14, 2020. Later, the whole NBA suspended their matches.
Christian Wood – Houston Rockets
After the quarantine and recovery, Wood was traded to the Houston Rockets, and he signed a 3-year 41 million dollar deal. He made his debut as part of the Rockets on December 26. He compiled 31 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and one block, but the team ultimately lost to the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Houston Rockets’ 35 crushed his former team, the Hornets, with 33 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 blocks in a game on November 27, 2021. Saturday’s effort marked his improvement, as Wood played as a real professional. Later in December, he had a knee tendinitis injury but Wood returned after a two-game absence and posted double digits, as he helped the team to win over the Pistons.
Is Christian Wood a good shooter?
He may not be the most physically imposing big man, but Christian Wood is an incredibly talented jump shooter. Over the last three seasons, his restricted area shots on the road have been remarkable; he’s made 289 out of 387 attempts (74.7%), ranking him 11th out of 162 players who have had at least 300 attempts in that same time period.
Who drafted Christian Wood?
Wood went unselected in the 2015 NBA draft, but was picked up by the Houston Rockets for the Summer League. On September 27, 2015, he agreed to a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
