May 25, 2012
Alba Berlin, star guard Wood working hard in China
DaShaun Wood - Alba BerlinIf Alba Berlin is successful in its bid to reach the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Regular Season next month via the Qualifying Rounds, much credit will go to the hard work put in on the team's preseason trip to China. The two-week visit has combined training, team-building activities, sightseeing and participation in the 2011 China Intercontinental Club Championships. On Thursday DaShaun Wood led Berlin past Beijing Jinyu Ducks 77-82 to advance to the tournament final, in which it will face Australian club Cairns Taipans on Sunday.

Wood amassed 16 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals to carry the Albatross to Thursday's win in front of a packed house at MasterCard Stadium, formerly the Beijing Olympics Basketball Gymnasium. Before the game the first-year guard, who was the German League MVP last season with Fraport Skyliners, spoke to Euroleague.net about the trip to China.

Like most of his teammates, this was Wood’s first time in China and it surpassed expectations. "China basketball is taking care of us and I am surprised how serious they are… There has been a lot of improvement in Chinese basketball over the years and I am shocked about the equipment they have over here."

Alba Berlin in ChinaFor Wood, there have been many goals for the trip, both on the court and off. "It's been a great trip for the team. It has given me the chance to learn a lot about my new teammates that I am with for the first time. We spend a lot of time together at the hotel and in practices; we are together the whole day. I think it is very important for us to have good chemistry, learn from each other and the trip is really good for that, because we are spending so much time together. If we want to be successful on the court, we have to be a family. And one of the things that this trip is doing is bringing us closer, as a family."

Even though the players have not yet gotten a chance to do any sightseeing – a trip to the Great Wall is scheduled for Monday – they have had opportunities to interact with local fans. Wood, who said the trip is something he can one day tell his children about, has embraced the chance to play in front of the local crowds. "It is a great chance for us to show how hard we have been working and the way we play the game. It is also great to showcase European basketball in China. Just like we haven’t seen much of the Chinese League, they haven’t seen much of us – the European style of play. It is good for both parts to understand the level of competition in both sides of the world."

Looking ahead, Wood believes that the training camp will help Alba in its goal to reach the Turkish Airlines Euroleague. "It helps for a lot of reasons. First of all, we have spent a lot of time together as a team and like I said before, if you want to be a good team, you have to become a family, care for each other as if we were brothers and trust each other on the basketball court… It is a two-week trip that has brought us a lot of good things. It is better than being at home, where everyone would be doing their own thing after practice. Right now, we are getting better, working together and doing everything as a team. It is a great way for us to get started in the direction that we want to go."
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Euroleague.net
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