Sean Murphy
ASU Student Journalist

Larger than Life: An Eagle Pioneer

March 6, 2018 by Sean Murphy, Arizona State University


Trey Wood of Anthem Preparatory Academy committed to Portland State in September and signed his letter of intent on November 8, becoming the first player in his high school’s history to commit to an NCAA Division 1 college sports program.

 

Anthem Prep is a small school that competes in the 1A division in Arizona high school basketball.  This has meant a lot to the school and the people around Wood.

 

“Having an up-and-coming program like Portland State not only select Trey to play with them, but have high expectations for him as well, shows that you don’t have to play at a 6A school in order to make it to the next level,” former Anthem Prep head coach Donald Case said.

 

Wood has come a long way in basketball, starting his freshman year at 6-foot-2 and sprouting to 6-9 as a sophomore and instantly becoming the heart of the varsity team at Anthem Prep, averaging 20.3 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 5.8 blocks per game in three years and 67 games on the varsity team. He hopes to go even further in college, in both basketball and life.

 

“I plan to use the opportunity to get stronger and develop my skillset as a basketball player even further,” Wood said. “I am excited to get my business degree and get more life experience. Portland is so different from Arizona, and will be a fun change of scenery.”

 

Anthem Prep will definitely miss Wood, as he has been a real force for the team, leading them to a 17-9 record and a playoff berth during his senior year.  But he has meant so much more than just being a physical force to the team.

 

He has been somebody who has used his talent in basketball and his confidence as a young man to improve and positively impact the people around him.

 

“Trey has a passionate intensity that not only drives him to excellence, but is infectious to his teammates as well,” Case said. “He is a vocal leader both on and off the court, and supports all of our athletic teams with as much passion as he puts into his own game.”

 

While Wood wants very much to make it as a professional basketball player and have people remember him for his talent and for his demeanor, he does realize that there is life after basketball if he doesn’t get drafted coming out of college.

 

“I also love that Portland State is 10 minutes from Nike headquarters,” Wood said. “So as a backup plan and with a business degree that would be a great place to work.”

 

Case was the head varsity coach through the 2017 season and got to spend a lot of time coaching Wood and helping him develop as a player and as a young man.  Case stepped down as the head coach and now oversees the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams at Anthem Prep.

 

Alex Curry, also Wood's math teacher, stepped in as the boys’ head coach at the beginning of Trey’s senior season and considers it a pleasure to have worked with somebody who is so talented and means so much to the school.

 

“It's an honor for Portland State to recognize and pursue one of our athletes,” Curry said. “It speaks volumes to Trey's work ethic, and it paves the way for other athletes and students to set the bar high.”

 

Wood is going to go to Portland State and is going to get the chance to use what he has learned in his time at Anthem Prep, both athletically and academically, to teach the people around him about life and to better his teammates in the basketball world.

 

Anthem Prep is an academic-first school that is part of the Great Hearts schools.  The Great Hearts schools teach numerous lessons to the kids that attend the schools, such as how to be leaders and communicators, as well as character and integrity.  Coach Case said that they teach kids these lessons with the intention that graduates of the school will use their talents for a purpose beyond themselves.

 

“Applying this philosophy in which Trey has been nurtured to the basketball platform that he also has at his disposal means that Trey can help influence the next generation in many ways,” Case said. “He is a shining effort of hard work and accomplishing goals, fighting through obstacles along the way (numerous injuries). As eyes turn his way due to his talents in basketball, he will be able to relay the compassion and character that his curriculum has instilled in him to others in both his words and his actions.”