Christian Wood’s basketball career is defined by perseverance, growth, and unrelenting determination. From his humble beginnings on the high school courts to his current role with the Los Angeles Lakers, his underdog story resonates with many! His journey reflects the highs and lows of an athlete’s pursuit of greatness. Wood’s path to the NBA was far from conventional, marked by setbacks and doubts. Let’s take a closer look at his roots and the experiences that have shaped his path to success.

Where was Christian Wood born and brought up?

Christian Wood was born on September 27, 1995, in Long Beach, California, a city renowned for its rich culture and athletic talent. American by nationality- his family roots and ethnicity aren’t talked about. While he has kept details about his parents relatively private, it is known that he was raised by his mother, Jeanette, alongside his brother, Derek Stewart. Through his high school years, Wood took steps to refine his skills, transferring from one school to another in search of the best environment to develop his game.

For his first year, he attended Los Alamitos High School and took a transfer to Knight High School in Palmdale, California. It was his senior year at the Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, where his basketball skills truly flourished. There he played a major role in the team’s 54-game winning streak, helping his school team secure an ESPN National High School Invitational championship in 2012.

Stellar performances at Findlay earned him recognition as a top high school prospect. Rivals ranked him 36th overall, while ESPN considered him the 71st prospect back in 2013. These accolades set the stage for what’s been a rollercoaster journey to the NBA.

Which religion does Christian Wood follow?

When it comes to his personal life, Christian Wood has spoken about his faith being an important part of his journey. Raised in a Christian household, Wood’s faith has played a significant role in shaping his mindset. The hoopster mentioned that his belief in God helped him push through challenging times, especially when his journey seemed uncertain with the sport. Strong performances at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) earned him first-team All-Mountain West honors. He declared for the 2015 NBA Draft but wasn’t selected.

After brief stints with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Charlotte Hornets, Christian spent ample time in the NBA G League. He played multiple games with the Delaware 87ers and overseas games in China. He later joined the Milwaukee Bucks in 2018 but was waived in 2019. Then he gained some prominence with the New Orleans Pelicans. After being claimed by the Detroit Pistons, he was traded to the Houston Rockets in 2020, where he had his breakout season, which included a career-high 39 points in 2022.

Wood was then traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he excelled, and in 2023, he signed with his current team, the Los Angeles Lakers. Through the highs and lows, Christian Wood’s story is one of perseverance and belief—both in himself and in his faith. His journey serves as a reminder that success isn’t always a straight line, but with determination, anything is possible.

“Most guys would fold or say this isn’t for me after maybe the second or third time being waived by a team,” Wood said. “And maybe even quitting after maybe being cut from an overseas team. But after that, what’s really next? I would just say, ‘Just have that resilience and never give up with you. You made it this far. You bet on yourself. Just keep betting on yourself.”