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 averaging 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 before the game against The Artland Dragons February 20th.

Congrats on the 68-67 win against The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig. I guess this wasnt a game for weak nerves?

No it wasnt. The game went back and fourth and came down to a shot at the end. It was a great win despite being shorthanded and getting it against such a good team like Braunschweig.

What is the status of captain Pascal Roller?

He has a twisted ankle. He might be out a week or two.

What is the status on Dominic Bahiense De Mello?

He is doing well. He has nothing serious. He got a knee in the thigh. It isnt a bad injury.

How did you mentally prepare for the Braunschweig game knowing that the team was badly shorthanded?

I just took the game as a big challenge. Coach told us it was a challenge and made us believe that we could win. We had six strong veteran players, but only five players can play. We were lucky that we had our starting five.

You lauded Quantez Robertson very much after the game. How importnat was he for the win?

Tez always does the important things that are not seen on the stats. His biggest job was playing 40 minutes and defending the Braunschweig guards. He had the same energy and intensity for 40 minutes. I strongly believe that we would not have won without Tez.

Another player that The Deutsche Bank Skyliners could not have won without was Kimmo Muurinen. He seems to have made big strides this season.

Kimmo is probably the most improved player this season. He started the season very defense minded, but in the last games has really been outstanding on offense. he is penetrating and shooting very well. When a team has 3-4 guys that can score on  a regular basis always makes them more dangerous.

I had no idea how well Kimmo Muurinen could penetrate.

Kimmo can penetrate. He came to me during the game in Braunschweig and told me that he felt very comfortable penetrating and I told him go for it. He made big plays as a result.

How do you know if you will score or be more the playmaker?

Each game and each team is different.  Before every game we get a system from the coach and that is what we have to follow. Some games I will get 12 assists like against Ulm and other games where I wills core 30 points. I just take what the defense gives me.

Why does it still shock you that there are certain shots that you make?

I will watch film and just say wow, I cant believe that I made that shot. For example my fourth quarter three pointer beating Butler and going to the NCAA tournament. It has been that since I was little, just having a hard time believing that I can make a certain shot. I love to compete and I think that you can never appreciate what you do until its over.

It seemed like The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were unable to stop Lamarr Greer.

He shot well in the first game against us at home too. We had problems getting to him, but on the last play where it counted most, we were able to stop him and get the win.

How happy are you with the 2011 BEKO BBL cup draw?

I cant say that I am happy since there are three very good teams and that we have to beat two of the three teams. We are excited to be going to the Top 4. That is why we come to play the game because of games like these. We are confident that we can win it.

The next game is against the Artland Dragons. How excited are you about this duel?

They are one of the best teams and I am looking forward to the challenge. They are playing well and it will be a good challenge. We will have to bring our A game against The Artland Dragons.

I think that it wont only be The Deutsche Bank Skyliners against The Artland Dragons but Dashaun Wood against Tyrese Rice.

Rice is a great guy and we both will try to lead our teams to victory. We also respect each other. I think that it will be a great match up of two players accepting the challenge and defending each other which we saw in the day with Larry Bird-Magic Johnson or Kobe Bryant-Tracy Mcgrady.

Will Wood or Rice decide the game?

I think that it will come down to just more than me or him. I didnt have my best game in Braunschweig, but we still won. The club that plays more team basketball will win.

How did you like The 2011 NBA slam dunk contest?

I think that it was one of the best in a long time. There were exciting dunks as well as new dunks over cars or from the free throw line. I think a reason why it was so good than in past years was that there were very good dunkers like Blake Griffin who is so electrifying or Jamaal Mcghee who is a seven footer but jumps like a wing player. The competition got the crowd excited.

Who are your early NCAA 2011 Final 4 picks?

Pittsburgh, Duke, Kansas and my sleeper is Texas.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Bad Boys 2.

Thanks Dashaun for the chat.