Robert Anthony Woodard II (born September 22, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for Mississippi State.

Robert Woodard II
Woodard with Mississippi State in 2020
No. 21 – Memphis Hustle
PositionPower forward / small forward
LeagueNBA G League
Personal information
Born (1999-09-22) September 22, 1999 (age 25)
Starkville, Mississippi, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolColumbus
(Columbus, Mississippi)
CollegeMississippi State (2018–2020)
NBA draft2020: 2nd round, 40th overall pick
Selected by the Memphis Grizzlies
Playing career2020–present
Career history
20202022Sacramento Kings
2021Austin Spurs
2022Stockton Kings
2022Oklahoma City Blue
2022Austin Spurs
2022–2023Oklahoma City Blue
2023ADA Blois
2023–2024Maroussi
2024–presentMemphis Hustle
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the  United States
FIBA Americas U16 Championship
Gold medal – first place 2015 Argentina Team

Early life

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Woodard grew up playing basketball and baseball but narrowed his focus to basketball by the time he started high school, in part due to his exceptional height.[1] He was already receiving Division I college attention in eighth grade. He played basketball for Columbus High School in Columbus, Mississippi.[2] As a sophomore, Woodard led Columbus to its first Mississippi Class 6A state title after averaging 20.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and four assists per game.[3] In his junior season, he averaged 25.2 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and three blocks per game and was named Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year.[4] As a senior, Woodard won his second Class 6A state championship and repeated as Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year.[1] A four-star recruit and the highest-rated prospect in his state, he committed to play college basketball for Mississippi State over offers from Alabama, Memphis and Ole Miss, among others.[5]

College career

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As a freshman, Woodard averaged 5.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 17.4 minutes per game. He started one contest and shot 46 percent on field goals. He spent the following summer working on his shooting and lifting weights.[6] On November 17, 2019, Woodard set career highs with 21 points and 16 rebounds in an 82–59 win over New Orleans.[7] As a sophomore, Woodard averaged 11.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.[8] Following the season, Woodard declared for the 2020 NBA draft, with the intention of remaining in the draft.[9] He had career totals of 539 points, 53 steals, 49 blocks, 65 assists and 342 rebounds.[10]

Professional career

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Sacramento Kings (2020–2022)

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Woodard was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 40th pick in the 2020 NBA draft. He was subsequently traded alongside a 2022 second-round draft selection to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Xavier Tillman.[11] On December 1, 2020, Woodard was signed by the Kings.[12] On February 1, 2021, it was announced Woodard would have his first assignment at the NBA G League for the Austin Spurs.[13]

On January 5, 2022, Woodard was assigned to the Stockton Kings after suffering an undisclosed illness.[14] On February 10, he was waived by the Kings.[15]

Oklahoma City Blue (2022–2023)

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On February 19, 2022, Woodard was acquired via waivers by the Iowa Wolves.[16] Two days later, Woodard was traded to the Oklahoma City Blue in exchange for Melvin Frazier.[17]

On March 4, 2022, Woodard signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs.[18]

On October 4, 2022, Woodard signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. On October 7, Woodard was waived after appearing in one pre season game. On November 3, 2022, Woodard was named to the opening night roster for the Oklahoma City Blue.[19]

ADA Blois (2023)

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On August 2, 2023, Woodard signed with ADA Blois of the French Betclic Élite.[20]

Maroussi (2023–2024)

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On December 17, 2023, Woodard signed with Greek club Maroussi for the rest of the season.[21]

Memphis Hustle (2024–present)

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On October 28, 2024, Woodard joined the Memphis Hustle.[22]

National team career

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Woodard won a gold medal with the United States at the 2015 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship in Bahía Blanca, Argentina. He played in all five games and averaged 5.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.[23]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020–21 Sacramento 13 0 3.5 .400 .167 .375 1.2 .2 .0 .2 1.5
2021–22 Sacramento 12 0 3.5 .125 .250 1.000 .9 .3 .1 .1 .6
Career 25 0 3.5 .278 .200 .500 1.1 .2 .0 .2 1.1

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Mississippi State 34 1 17.5 .468 .273 .580 4.1 .7 .5 .5 5.5
2019–20 Mississippi State 31 31 33.1 .495 .429 .641 6.5 1.3 1.1 1.0 11.4
Career 65 32 24.9 .485 .368 .617 5.3 1.0 .8 .8 8.3

Personal life

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Woodard's father, also named Robert Woodard, left high school as the Mississippi all-time leading scorer in boys basketball, with 4,274 points, before playing for Mississippi State at the collegiate level.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b Lowery, Logan (February 8, 2019). "Woodard's basketball focus paying off". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  2. ^ Faulk, Robbie (November 24, 2017). "Robert Woodard Sr. "Elated" in Son's Decision". 247Sports. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  3. ^ Sammon, Will (June 10, 2016). "Luther Riley out as Columbus basketball coach". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  4. ^ Costabile, Annie (March 20, 2017). "Robert Woodard named Gatorade POY". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  5. ^ "Four-star forward Robert Woodard commits to Mississippi State". WJTV. November 15, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Hodge, Garrick (October 5, 2019). "Flexing his muscles: How Mississippi State's Robert Woodard II plans to take a step forward". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  7. ^ "Woodard sends Mississippi State past New Orleans 82-59". ESPN. Associated Press. November 17, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  8. ^ "S. Carolina, Miss. St. meet in conference play". Associated Press. February 18, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  9. ^ Givony, Jonathan (April 9, 2020). "Mississippi State's Robert Woodard II entering NBA draft". ESPN. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  10. ^ Palmer, Lydia (September 13, 2020). "From MSU to the NBA: Robert Woodard II". The Reflector. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  11. ^ "Kings Acquire Draft Rights To Robert Woodard II and 2022 Second-Round Draft Selection". NBA.com. November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  12. ^ "Kings Sign Robert Woodard II". NBA.com. December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  13. ^ "Austin Spurs receive flex-assignment Robert Woodard II from Sacramento Kings". NBA.com. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  14. ^ "Kings' Robert Woodard: Returns to action in G League". CBS Sports. January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  15. ^ "Kings Acquire Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Jackson and Trey Lyles in Four-Team Deal". NBA. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  16. ^ "2021-22 NBA G League Transactions". NBA.com. February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  17. ^ "2021-22 NBA G League Transactions". NBA.com. February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  18. ^ "The Spurs have signed Robert Woodard II and D.J. Stewart Jr. to two-way contracts". PoundingTheRock.com. March 4, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  19. ^ "Oklahoma City Blue Roster 2022-23". NBA.com. November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  20. ^ "ROBERT WOODARD II DERNIÈRE PIÈCE DU PUZZLE!". ADA-Basket.com (in French). August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  21. ^ Maggi, Alessandro (December 17, 2023). "Maroussi signs Robert Woodard - Sportando". Sportando. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  22. ^ "Memphis Hustle announce 2024–25 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. October 28, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  23. ^ Cronin, Courtney (June 15, 2015). "Woodard, USA Basketball win gold at FIBA Americas". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
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