THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Christmas came early for the Cal Lutheran men's basketball team-really early.
The Kingsmen welcomed Wolfgang Wood, the former Arizona Christian University standout, to the squad this past summer.
While he's no chef, the 6-foot- 4, 195-pound senior forward is cooking on the hardwood this season, averaging a team-high 21 points through the team's first six games.
"We knew he was talented, and we knew he was a great fit for our program and our philosophy, but his point-per-game production is a little higher than we thought," Cal Lutheran head coach Geoff Dains said. "We knew he'd be an instant contributor, based upon his history at other places, but for a first-year guy to come in and do what he's done was unexpected."
Wood, who also pulls down 7.2 rebounds per game, is the son of former professional basketball player and current NBA referee Leon Wood.
The elder Wood suited up for numerous teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets, throughout his six seasons in the NBA. He also won a gold medal with the 1984 U.S. Olympic basketball team that cut a young John Stockton and Charles Barkley. Wood, 54, is in his 21st season as a referee.
Wolfgang Wood, a senior who's majoring in communications, has found his niche at Cal Lutheran.
"I came in wanting to contribute in any way possible," Wood said, "whether that was in practice or in games. I wanted to come and contribute, not just win."
The undefeated Kingsmen (6-0 overall) are winning, and Wood's contributing in a big way. He's scored in double digits in every game so far. He had season highs of 36 points and 11 rebounds against George Fox University on Nov. 26.
His contributions this season come as no surprise from a player that spent the past two summers fine-tuning his skills in the Drew League. He played on Harry Wilson's CaBC team this summer and for Casper Ware Sr.'s Hanks Cheaters in the past.
"The experience was amazing because you truly get to test yourself against the best players in the country at every level, from high school all the way to the NBA," Wood said. "I had the chance to go up against many top overseas players."
He helped his team topple a squad that featured NBA players Nick Young and JaVale McGee.
"It was an overall great experience to learn and try to raise my game," Wood said.
The 22-year-old moved back to California from Arizona during the summer to be closer to his mother, Tia Wood, formerly Tia Francis, who suited up at center for the UCLA women's basketball team.
Tia and Leon Wood established a basketball foundation for Wolfgang and his sister, Whitney Wood, when their children were young. Whitney Wood starred at forward for Santa Margarita High before playing at Seton Hall.
Leon Wood stressed ball handling to his son at a young age.
"I knew he had a chance to be a good player," said the elder Wood, who was calling from an airport en route to refereeing a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
"It was just a matter of how tall he was going to become. I just wanted him to basically be out on the perimeter. If he could be 6-foot-4 with ball-handling skills, that's going to help you down the road. I always treated him like a guard, even if he was one of the tallest guys on the team."
All the work paid off for Wolfgang Wood.
He's one of the Kingsmen's most versatile players.
"At the Division III level, the very successful players are those hybrid type players that can go inside and outside," Dains said. "(Wood) definitely has the ability to do that. He's a mismatch for a lot of players. If there's a bigger guy on him, he can go outside. If there's a smaller player on him, he can go on the inside. He can mix up his game."
While Cal Lutheran enjoys having a natural athlete like Wood in the lineup, the senior takes his schoolwork seriously, too. He aspires to become a color commentator after his basketball career.
Wood is the announcer at Cal Lutheran women's basketball games and at men's and women's soccer games. He's also getting plenty of practice behind the mic while taking broadcasting classes.
"I'm able to work on my craft and gain better vocal and communication skills with broadcasting," he said.
Leon Wood, who was the third former NBA player to become a referee in the association, said he's noticed a new level of determination in his son.
"I can see that he's happy," Wood said. "I see it in his face and hear it in his voice. I've watched quite a few of his games on the internet. He seems very confident."
The father's also impressed with his son's gifts off the court.
"I've heard him on tape," he said. "He has a good voice for broadcasting."
Wood said he constantly reminds his son that basketball doesn't last forever. His advice: Enjoy it while it lasts.
"You want to play as much basketball as you can before you start your new half of your life," the elder Wood said. "I tell him 'Enjoy your senior year, enjoy the moment, and we'll see where that puts you.'"
While Wolfgang Wood has shown interest in playing overseas, he said he's focused on continuing his solid level of play for Cal Lutheran.
"If there's a plan for me to play after college, that will present itself," he said. "I'm just focusing on the season ahead of me right now."
