Juco post picks up Gamecock offer
South Carolina stepped forward with an offer recently to a junior college post from Illinois. Russell Woods, a 6-foot-8, 225-pounder, plays at John A. Logan Community College in Carterville for coach Kyle Smithpeters and is averaging 14 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest this season.
Smithpeters spoke with GamecockCentral.com to lend some insight on Woods' recruitment and his skill set.
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"They offered last week," Smithpeters said. "He played at Simeon in high school with Jabari Parker and crew and won a state title.. He's had a good year for us. He's shooting 59 percent from the field."
The Illinois product has several offers to his credit, with other major programs showing interest as of late as well.
"Missouri and K-State have also offered and several high mid-majors. He has an offer from Depaul and interest from Arizona, Kansas, Cal, and Washington State."
According to Smithpeters, Woods' size, skill set, and mental makeup makes him an intriguing prospect at the next level.
"He's a good four slash five," the coach said. "Long, bouncy, can step out and shoot. He's a winner; he's won everyone he's been."
As for recruiting, it appears that Woods has that on hold for now as he tries to help his team win this season. Once the basketball season winds down, he will turn his attention to the next step.
"He will take visits after Final Four. He will look at taking three, four, five officials," Smithpeters said. "He's still taking most of it in and concentrating on the season and hasn't talked a lot of recruiting. He's done very well in the classroom."