University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: University of Tennessee Athletics
Wood Set for Induction into Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame
May 29, 2025 | Men's Basketball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Former University of Tennessee men's basketball standout Howard Wood will join the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame during Thursday's induction event.
The class of 2025 will be recognized at a ceremony held at Flowerfield in St. James, N.Y. The full list of honorees can be found HERE.
Wood played at Tennessee from 1977-81 and was named an SEC Legend in 2018. He spent his final three years under the tutelage of Don DeVoe, who was tabbed to the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in April 2024.
The duo helped take the Volunteers to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments, a program first. Tennessee won a game in the event each year, the first three such triumphs in program history.
Wood totaled 1,201 points and 595 rebounds across 115 collegiate appearances, averaging 10.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per outing. He shot 50.9 percent from the field and 80.2 percent at the line.
A native of East Hampton, N.Y., Wood had his best year as a senior in 1980-81. He averaged 14.3 points, a team-best 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 34.0 minutes per game, aiding the Volunteers to a 21-8 (12-6 SEC) record and a No. 15 finish in the AP Poll. He collected Converse Second Team All-America recognition.
Wood finished his career fifth at Tennessee in career free-throw percentage (min. 300 FTA) and No. 14 in scoring. He now, 44 years later, still ranks ninth and No. 41 on the program's leaderboards, respectively.
The ninth of 21 players in Tennessee history to record 30-plus points at least three times, Wood is the only one to do so multiple times off the bench. His 33-point performance Dec. 19, 1979, against Alabama is still tied for the most by a reserve in Tennessee history, while his 31 four days prior versus Arizona State still ranks fourth. In addition, the 26 he had against Minnesota right between those games remains co-ninth. Those showings held the top three spots on the list for over five years.
Wood shot 17-of-20 from the free-throw line Jan. 7, 1982, against Ole Miss. The 17 makes are still good for co-fourth in program history, while the 20 attempts remain co-third all-time. His 12-of-12 performance at the line Dec. 15, 1979, against Arizona State is tied for the eighth-most makes in a game without a miss by a Volunteer and, at the time, marked the third occurrence of a Tennessee player reaching a dozen makes without a miss.
The 6-foot-7, 235-pounder out of East Hampton High School helped Tennessee win the 1979 SEC Tournament crown. He collected the Burchfield-Moss Most Courageous Award that year and followed that up by winning the 1980 Lowell Blanchard Award as the team's most improved player.
Wood was selected No. 27 overall in the 1981 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. He appeared in 42 games, with three starts, during the 1981-82 season, totaling 144 points.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men's basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
The class of 2025 will be recognized at a ceremony held at Flowerfield in St. James, N.Y. The full list of honorees can be found HERE.
Wood played at Tennessee from 1977-81 and was named an SEC Legend in 2018. He spent his final three years under the tutelage of Don DeVoe, who was tabbed to the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in April 2024.
The duo helped take the Volunteers to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments, a program first. Tennessee won a game in the event each year, the first three such triumphs in program history.
Wood totaled 1,201 points and 595 rebounds across 115 collegiate appearances, averaging 10.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per outing. He shot 50.9 percent from the field and 80.2 percent at the line.
A native of East Hampton, N.Y., Wood had his best year as a senior in 1980-81. He averaged 14.3 points, a team-best 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 34.0 minutes per game, aiding the Volunteers to a 21-8 (12-6 SEC) record and a No. 15 finish in the AP Poll. He collected Converse Second Team All-America recognition.
Wood finished his career fifth at Tennessee in career free-throw percentage (min. 300 FTA) and No. 14 in scoring. He now, 44 years later, still ranks ninth and No. 41 on the program's leaderboards, respectively.
The ninth of 21 players in Tennessee history to record 30-plus points at least three times, Wood is the only one to do so multiple times off the bench. His 33-point performance Dec. 19, 1979, against Alabama is still tied for the most by a reserve in Tennessee history, while his 31 four days prior versus Arizona State still ranks fourth. In addition, the 26 he had against Minnesota right between those games remains co-ninth. Those showings held the top three spots on the list for over five years.
Wood shot 17-of-20 from the free-throw line Jan. 7, 1982, against Ole Miss. The 17 makes are still good for co-fourth in program history, while the 20 attempts remain co-third all-time. His 12-of-12 performance at the line Dec. 15, 1979, against Arizona State is tied for the eighth-most makes in a game without a miss by a Volunteer and, at the time, marked the third occurrence of a Tennessee player reaching a dozen makes without a miss.
The 6-foot-7, 235-pounder out of East Hampton High School helped Tennessee win the 1979 SEC Tournament crown. He collected the Burchfield-Moss Most Courageous Award that year and followed that up by winning the 1980 Lowell Blanchard Award as the team's most improved player.
Wood was selected No. 27 overall in the 1981 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. He appeared in 42 games, with three starts, during the 1981-82 season, totaling 144 points.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men's basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
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