Dashaun Wood is a 25 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that is playing his first season in Germany for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners. He is a young point guard with natural leadership abilities, who directs teammates on the floor and takes the ball in clutch moments. Loves to go inside to score, challenging the big guys, but has also shooting range from behind the 3pts arch. Despite lack of size, he can be effective even at the defensive side. He played at Wright state from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 33 games avergaing 19.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.0apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3Pts: 37.3%, FT: 88.3%. In 2007-2008, he played his rookie season for Tisettanta Cantu (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 38 games: Score-5(16.9ppg), 3.0rpg, Assists-4(3.3apg), 2.7spg, 2FGP:52.1%, 3PT-2(42.8%), FT:77.4%. In 2008-2009, he played for : Benetton Treviso (Italy-SerieA), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 2 months: Eurocup: 12 games: 5.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 87.5%; Italian League: 17 games: 7.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 70.4%. This past summer he played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (LA Clippers). Dashaun took time to talk to german hoops about basketball.

Congrats on the 72-55 win against TBB Trier. Why was this win a lot more difficult than how it looked?

They played very hard. Even when they were down by 20 points, they were able to cut it down to 10 points. They play very hard on offense and defense and never give up.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners shot well and defended well, but didn’t rebound well. How disappointed were you with the rebounding?

I was very disappointed how we rebounded. We did some boxing out drills today and watched film.

What was key for playing well against the aggressive TBB Trier defense?

We knew that they defended very aggressive so we had to match their intensity. We were able to shoot the ball with confidence and just be ready what they would give us.

You played against Dru Joyce in the NCAA. Joyce played with Lebron James for four years. Do you think your game would have been different today if you had played with James for four years?

Yes I think that I would have been a different player. I think that I could of learned a lot form him and I am sure that he would of made me a better player something that he is known for doing.

You were unable to play last season due to injury. How did you stay positive?

I always knew that I wanted to come back and play at a high level again. I decided to take off last year to get back to 100 %. Now I feel like I am becoming the player I once was and I am getting faster each day.

How confident were you coming to Frankfurt that your injury would not get in the way and that you could produce on the floor?

I was pretty confident that all would go well even though it was not easy sitting out a whole season. I knew that if I worked hard and lift weights that all would be good. I also got a lot of help from the coaches in Frankfurt. If I worked hard I knew that I would get better.

This is your first season in Germany. What do you like best about Germany?

The people are great and I feel like I am at home. I cant wait until my dad and sister come visit me and see how well I live.

You played two years in Italy. Is the Serie A a lot more difficult than the BEKO BBL?

I would not say that it is more difficult, but different. The German league is a bit faster, more athletes and more Americans. In Germany, you can show your game more. In Italy there is more structure and the coaches are more in control.

What is the secret to the success of The Deutsche Bank Skyliners?

We have great coaches that prepare us well. All 12-13 guys in the team want to win and with an attitude like that gives us the chance to win. We were in each game this season.

On what things do The Deutsche Bank Skyliners still need to work on to be as strong as Bamberg?

We still have to get healthy and put certain things together on offense and defense. We haven’t had our best team on the court yet, but when we do, I feel like we can compete with teams like Bamberg.

What is a strength in your game that isn’t always seen right away?

Everyone sees my penetration first, but it is my three point ability. When I can combine these two things then I am hard to stop.

What can you still improve in your game?

I can get better on defense. I missed a whole season so I am still trying to find my quickness. I want to be able to pick up the guards full court and just play with more speed.

How is your relationship with Pascal Roller? He is the captain, but you are the leader on the court.

I have a good relationship with Pascal Roller. It is great to be able to play with him. It is also great to be bale to practice with him. I learn a lot from him and he has a lot of experience. We are both leaders on the court. It is just good to have to great point guards on one team and on the floor.

You have a lot of self confidence on the court. Where did you get that from?

I have it from my dad. My dad showed me everything about life, school and basketball.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have many great players, but how important is Kimmo Muurinen and what is an important strength in his game that not everybody knows or sees?

I think that many don’t know how athletic he is. He is great on ball screens, rebounding and getting to the basket. He is very energetic and just makes plays that most four men cant make.

You are from Detroit, Michigan. What was your childhood like?

I had a great childhood. Basketball was my life and important was finishing school.

Who were your NBA idols?

Allen Iverson. He was a short guy like me and people always thought he couldn’t do job because of his size. I liked his toughness.

What was your nicest experience at Wright State on and off the court?

On the court, it was reaching the NCAA tournament beating Butler and getting MVP and off the court graduating and having my family there and getting a degree in Education.

Who was the best player that you played against in the NCAA?

Aaron Brooks of the Houston Rockets. He was a very small and fast point guard that really shot the ball well.

You were a freshman and Seth Doliboa was a senior at Wright State. What was the nicest experience that you had with the American?

He liked to pick on freshmen, but at the same time he helped freshmen get started. He was one of the nicest guys that I ever met.

In your senior year at Wright State, you had great stats with 19,6ppg, 5,1rpg, 4,1apg and 1,9spg. Was it your size that didn’t get you to the NBA?

It wasn´t  my size, but more a lack of experience. I played at a few NBA camps, but some teams felt it would be better if I would play 1-2 years in Europe to get experience, but then I suffered that injury in Italy. The NBA goal is still big, but now I am happy to be playing in Germany and will think about the NBA this summer.

You played two seasons in Italy. What did you like most about Italy?

The food. I loved the pasta and salads.

When you played with Cantu, your teammate was Gerald Fitch. Who won one on one games in practice?

We played against each other every day. He would win 3-0 and I would win 3-0. We had some very competitive games.

What were the most free throws you made in a game and practice?

I made 50 free throws in a practice and 35 in a row in games.

What was your most crazy shot that you ever made?

I was sitting down on the bench and made a shot sitting down at the far end basket nothing but net.

Who wins a one on one game, you or Quantez Robertson?

We don’t play. I usually play against Pascal Roller. I would win every game against Tez. I would beat him with three pointers and slow down his left hand.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Bad Boys 2.

Thanks for the chat Dashaun.