DaShaun Wood is a 26 year old 185cm point guard from Detroit, Michigan that is playing his second season in Germany for Alba Berlin. 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%. Last season, he was the Beko BBL MVP with The Deutsche Bank Skyliners playing EuroCup Qualifying Round: 2 games: 13.5ppg, 2.5rpg, 5.0apg; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 16.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 73.7%; German League: 42 games: Score-1(19.0ppg), 4.6rpg, Assists-2(5.9apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 80.3%. He spoke German Hoops about the current season

In the 83-50 win against BG Goettingen you went 0/8 from the field registering one point. Can you ever remember having such a bad shooting night?

I have never experienced anything like that before, but one has to remember just how much I have played recently. We had games on the 18^th, 20^th, 23^rd, 27^th and 30^th of December and the second, fifth and eighth of January. At the end of that game streak, it just showed that I was tired in the Goettingen game. One of the reasons why I came to play in Berlin was that I wanted to be around so many great players. Even if I have a night like that, we can still have good chances to win.

You logged 30 minutes in Frankfurt, but didn´t seem to be tired like you are now. What has changed?

We didn´t have as a tough schedule in Frankfurt. We started with Eurochallenge last season and after that was done, we had one game per week. The schedule has just been tough this season, but I am looking forward to the second half of the season. I will be fine. I can´t just blame myself for being tired, because I did get the shots that I wanted to, was getting into good position, but they just didn´t go in. Great players have nights like this. And just because they weren´t falling, I didn´t want to continue to shoot 15-20 shots, because we had a good flow.

You have averaged 7ppg in the last six games. Despite the tough schedule, are teams figuring you out now?

I had my best games this season against top teams like FC Bayern Munich, Bamberg and ratiopharm Ulm. This season is totally different, its not like last season where I had to take like 16 or 17 shots. I don´t think it has anything to do with being defended better. For example I may take only one shot in the first quarter of a game this season. It has to do with how the game is going for us and how we are trying to accomplish our goal to win the game.

Alba Berlin had a relaxing wellness day yesterday in Berlin. How was this experience for you?

We had Monday off and we went to the gym and did some running to get a little sweat. We spent time in the sauna and whirl pool. It was a great rejuvenation for the body. Marko Simonovic hopped into the whirl pool, but quickly jumped out as the water was cold. That was kind of funny.

When you were relaxing in the sauna, were you thinking more about game situations or life matters?

I thought about all kinds of things. I was thinking about what I can do better on and off the court and about life things. The sauna is a great place to release the mind.

Alba Berlin has many top players, but also other players like a Derrick Allen wont always score in double figures. The players seem not to be worried about stats as much.

That is how the game goes. D.A has had some great games this season, but some days Yassin Idbihi or Torin Francis will have good games and then you just go with who is playing well. D.A is always positive. We have had many guys that have played well this season. I think the more that we are able to have many playing well, the harder it will be for the top teams to beat us.

The next game is against BBC Bayreuth. Alba Berlin beat them recently, but you have unfond memories  from last season where Frankfurt lost 86-79 despite 29 points by you.

I remember the loss, but I try to throw out what happened last season. I know that you know that this season is completely different than last season. The BBL is even more competitive. A Bamberg loses in Giessen or wins by two points against BBC Bayreuth. You have to be ready to compete every night. It doesn´t matter how much money Munich or Oldenburg spend, you have to be ready to compete every night. It is very loud in Bayreuth and we have to be ready and be focused from the start.

Alba Berlin has a nice group in Eurocup play with Benetton Treviso, Rytas Vilnius and Lok Kuban. What will be key to advancing?

This is a very strong group. You will see some very competitive games. The teams that make the least mistakes and want it most will move on. We want to advance very badly. We will need to have everyone ready and hope of stealing some games on the road. The Eurocup is a lot different than the Beko BBL. Once you get set in the Eurocup, you have to be ready to play as if its your last game.

You will be facing off against ex NBA player Lionel Chalmers. What do you like about his game?

I played against him when I was in Italy. I know how he likes to play. He likes to score and is a great defender. There are great guards in this group and it will be a basketball show to see for the fans as there is much talent.

Last season you dueled against Tyrese Rice. How excited about playing him again?

I am looking forward to playing him again. There really isn´t much that he can´t do. He has great leadership skills, can shoot and pass and I will have my hands full.

You told me recently that this season you can focus more on defense as there are enough players to score. How has your defense improved in the last months?

I have been checking the best perimeter shooters each game and I think that I have been doing a good job controlling them. Playing like this has helped our team. When we played Braunschweig, Robert Kulawick didn´t hit a three pointer on me.

On January 28^th ex teammate Pascal Roller will have his farewell game. If you had time and were invited would you come and face off against him?

Pascal Roller is my guy. I have  a lot of respect for him and would come if I had time.

What NCAA team besides Wright State do you want to see do well this season?

UCONN. They might have lost Kemba Walker, but they still have many great players.

What are your NFL playoff predictions? Patriots-Broncos.

I am from Michigan and Tom Brady is my guy. I am not on the Tim Tebow Bandwagon, but I believe in Tim Tebow´s  motto. If you have the right focus and live right, then good things will come to you. But I have to go with the Patriots.

Baltimore-Houston?

Baltimore.

Saints-49ers?

Saints.

Green Bay-Giants?

I want the Giants, but I have to go with Green Bay.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Blue Streak.

Thanks Dashaun for the chat.