Terrence Woods, senior guard on FAMU’s men’s basketball team, will participate in the National Basketball Coaches Association Three-Point Shooting Contest in San Antonio. The competition will be broadcast live on ESPN Thursday at 9 p.m.
“This is a well-deserved honor for Terrence,” said head coach Mike Gillespie Sr. “This is a great ending for a great season for Terrence, for Rattler Basketball, and for Florida A&M University.”
Woods has lead the NCAA Division I-A in three pointers made per game for the last two years. Woods hit 139 in 2002-2003 and topped that mark by knocking down 140 from behind the arc this year. Woods also led the nation in three pointers made per game with 4.5.
Despite his more than stellar resume Woods wasn’t a lock for the competition. Woods was the last player chosen for the field of eight shooters by ESPN and InterSports Agency, the company that organized the event. Woods was selected as the last man in only after Duke senior guard Chris Duhon, who hit only 28 threes this season, couldn’t participate as a result of the Blue Devils making the Final Four. Woods was then chosen from a trio of players including Florida State’s Tim Pickett and Mississippi State’s Timmy Bowers. However, the selection process did not faze Woods.
“That’s the world. Politics is something you have to accept,” Woods said. “My stats speak for themselves.”
Sports Information Directors Ronnie Johnson and Alvin Hollins faxed and e-mailed ESPN the accomplishments of Woods every day for two weeks straight to convince them to place him in the contest.
“They e-mailed ESPN saying how can he be denied?” said assistant head coach Mike Gillespie Jr.
Woods also has the support of the student body.
“People are going to find out that they slept on him,” said Brandon Alexander a sophomore business student from Columbus, Ohio. “I expect him to win it by far, I’ll put money on that.”
Although Woods said he was surprised to find out that he’d be competing, he is definitely confident about his chances.
“I had so many people pushing and pulling for me, this is not just for me. It’s for them too,” Woods said.
“If I’m in it, I’m going to win it.”
contact nick birdsong at mrbirdsong@hotmail.com.