Former G-League player signs with USC Rip City

The NBL1 North USC Rip City have signed 15-year veteran and American import Brandon Wood for the 2023 NBL1 season. 

The highs of Wood’s basketball career include Michigan State’s 2012 Big Ten conference titles, an NCAA tournament Sweet 16 appearance. As well as a Swiss League and Hungarian League championship as a professional. 

Wood also played for the Windy City Bulls in the NBA's G-League, where he averaged 11 points per game.

Australia will be the 14th country Wood’s basketball career has taken him to, but first without his wife Aujalen, who passed away after a traffic accident in May 2022.

Wood shared some insight into his bigger-than-basketball approach when he delivered the eulogy at Aujalen’s memorial service.

“It’s now on me to continue to honour her and carry on her legacy. I haven’t let up a day since this happened and she wouldn’t expect anything different,” Wood said.

“She would expect me to push forward and to use our life and our journey as we always have and planned to. We have lived an amazing journey and have been able to put reason behind everything we have experienced, whether it’s the good or the unfortunate.

“Now my journey will be to show the reason behind this – the lives, the impact, and the community we have touched and can continue to influence from the journey we have lived.”

Wood and his late wife (supplied) 

After a Grand Finals series appearance last season, Wood comes in with an expectation to return to the highest stage and win the championship in 2023. 

“My expectation coming in is to win,” Wood said.

“Obviously take it game by game, but my expectation is nothing short of winning the title. I have won titles at all levels so I’m bringing a winning mindset from day one. I’m looking to lead, play my game, play aggressively on both ends of the court and make plays for my teammates and myself.

“I’m looking to come in to have a full, strong, healthy, winning season and try to make a difference on and off the court. I’m looking to be involved in the community as I can and to continue to learn about the Australian culture.”

Read the full article by Greg Dawkins here.