Loren Woods

Year: Senior
School: Arizona
Size: 7-1; 251 lbs
1999-00 Stats: 15.6 ppg
7.5 rpg
102 blocks

Woods is fully recovered from last year's back injury.

This is Wood's Achilles heal. Woods had two surgeries because of a compressed disc. The recovery took longer because of an infection. Had he not had the injury, he probably would have left for the NBA. But the Wildcats might have challenged for the title, too.

Woods has the delicate touch needed to be a scoring threat in the post. He's got the spin moves down and can be an intimidating shot blocker at the defensive end. Woods' positioning in the post hasn't been a question. Once he gets the ball, he's usually a lock to score.

Woods got a bad rap for his attitude at Wake Forest. His mind wandered and he was questioned as to whether or not he had the desire to play the game. The back injury seems to have answer that challenge against him, making his mind even more focused on his career.

Toughness wasn't a characteristic associated with Woods. It might be now after going through two surgeries. Woods has battled to get into game shape. The pressure is on him now to not only deliver a national title, but also prove his soundness to NBA scouts.