Even If DJ Woodmore (190-SG-1992, college: VWU) has played in the very competitive German Pro B league almost his whole life, he is definitely a guy that could have played in the second division Pro A. He is currently in his 11th professional season and still miles away from retiring at age 33 and has played in the Pro B in 9 of his 11 seasons overseas. When it comes to the Christmas period overseas there is a big difference between leagues from the top to the lower. In Germany the first 2 divisions BBL and Pro A have to play during the holidays while in the Pro B, there is a 2 week break which allows American ballers to have that big decision between going home for some of momma´s home cooking specialties or staying abroad and experiencing a different kind of holiday time. It is only understandable that Americans will try to go home as often as possible especially when they have the opportunity, but DJ Woodmore hasn´t had that serious home sick feeling to Virginia. “This year I’ll go home after the Ludwigsburg game. For the first time in 5 years I’ll be able to celebrate with the family in person”, said DJ Woodmore. When he is in Germany, he has that one special spot where he always heads to have the classic German festive moment. “I’ll usually head to Bremen to celebrate with my girlfriend and her family. Before we met, I would stay in Speyer and celebrate with some friends in the city. It’s nice to have family everywhere“, stressed DJ Woodmore.

DJ Woodmore was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia and like most other Americans experienced special Christmas´s at home. Christmas doesn´t always have to be about religion, but for him it all has to do about his loved ones. “I’m not the most religious person in world, so Christmas has always meant a time for family. It’s always been the one time of year, we can all get together without any distraction from the outside. Great food, great vibes, great times”, commented DJ Woodmore. Every family has their own special Christmas and it wasn´t any different for DJ when he was a child. “It was always the best time of year. Jackson 5 Christmas album playing in the background. Opening gifts one by one. Then the whole day playing with the gifts we opened!! Best time. And still is”, warned DJ Woodmore. He also remembers what Christmas Eve was like in the Woodmore family as if it was yesterday. “It was always a relaxed day with the family. We try to get the last shopping done and then relaxing in the night listening to music or watching classic Xmas movies. We open 1 gift as an appetizer for the next day”, said DJ Woodmore. For some ballers getting that first basketball was the perfect X-mas gift as a kid, but for DJ it was something different. “I remember I got an electric motorcycle when I was like 12. Not a big one. But like a medium size one. My best friend down the street also had one. So we spent the next months riding together everywhere. It was easily one of my favorite gifts.”, remembered DJ Woodmore. Christmas isn´t only about receiving, but also about giving. Everyone has that favorite gift that they have given. “I think my favorite gift was giving my sister a new iPod. Her favorite color and she wasn’t expecting it at all. She loved it”, said DJ Woodmore. He will be home this year and one thing he is looking forward to is a special food from his dad and witnessing a certain song and movie pertaining to Xmas. “I really enjoy the ham my dad makes. But besides that, give me all the sweet stuff. Cookies cake chocolate. All of it. My favorite Christmas move would have to be “This Christmas”. And song would have to also be “This Christmas” by Chris Brown”, added DJ Woodmore.

The last 5 years the American has taken in the Xmas season in Germany and it is no surprise that the Christmas markets are his favorite thing to do. “That is my favorite thing to do in Germany by far. It’s always the best time of the year. The atmosphere and the Christmas mood is there all month long. And here in Speyer the Christmas market stays open until Jan 6 and becomes the new years market. So many Glühweins and Nutella Crepes for me to enjoy”, smiled DJ Woodmore. A big difference to Europe and USA is when presents are opened. Americans have to wait until the morning, but his family has a special tradition when opening presents. “I feel like it’s pretty similar. The only difference is that my family usually opens one or two small gifts on the night of Christmas Eve. It kind of builds the suspense for the next day. I think I like our tradition a bit more, because then we have the whole day to use our new gifts. Myself as a kid would have hated having to wait until the next day to ride my new bike or something for example. I´m curious to see if we’ll keep that tradition since I’ve been gone so long”, stated DJ Woodmore. After all the Xmas presents have been opened and delicious food devoured, people only have 1 more week before the New Year. Is he a classical new years resolution guy? “I do have new year resolutions which are trying to keep improving on my German and make more time for the people in my life. I say this every year but it’s very difficult to stay in contact with friends and family while living overseas. You get caught up in your own thing, sometimes going months and years without staying in touch with the people you don’t see regularly anymore. It’s an effort I need to be more conscious of”, stressed DJ Woodmore. It doesn´t matter if in Virginia or Bremen, he is always focused on his loved ones.