Wood will also serve as the franchise’s nominee for the January NBA Cares Community Assist Award.
“Christian Wood may be a new addition to the Mavericks roster in the 2022-2023 season, but his commitment to the team and participation in the community is matched to those who have been in the city for much longer,” said Hannah Sherertz, Dallas Mavs Director of Community Relations.
The 6-foot-9 big man said he’s “counting his blessings” and is honored to bring hope to kids in his new city.
Sherertz said Wood’s vibrant and positive attitude continues to transform many children’s lives in the community.
He’s a constant force on and off the court, always willing and eager to meet with kids along the baseline before games and at community events.
“I was once that little kid that would look up to NBA players and hope that he would sign my shoe or hope that I would be able to meet him in person,” Wood said. “I can be myself with kids, so it’s fun.”
Wood, 27, teamed up this season with the Mavs to host a Wednesday’s Child segment that aired on WFAA-TV and featured 16-year old Roderick who has been in foster care for five years and seeks a family to adopt him.
He got to shoot some hoops with Wood, who was impressed with Roderick’s height.
The 16-year-old is 5-foot-11.
“Wow, you’re tall man. Wish I was that tall when I was your age,” commented Wood.
“It feel like a dream. I can’t believe I’m here. I’m so excited. I’m nervous. I haven’t smiled this much in a while,” said Roderick.
The Mavs and Wood gave Roderick a taste of what home could feel like. Wood offered Roderick words of encouragement, opening up about his own troubled childhood and how he never knew his father.
Roderick absorbed all of it. He heard things he doesn’t hear often.
In January, Wood also teamed up with the Mavs and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers to launch the Mavs Winter Warm-up Drive to collect jackets and coats for those in need. Hundreds of fans arrived to meet Wood, who has quickly emerged as a fan favorite in North Texas.
He worked the drive-through line and signed autographs for every last fan and customer who arrived at the event.
“It’s amazing,” Wood said about the crowd. “You know, it’s my first time doing something like this… I’ve never had this many people come out to support me. So it warms my heart and means a lot. I’m happy going into the new year like this.”
Wood has been a staple in the community since arriving in North Texas over the summer. He immediately appeared at Mavs Hoop Camps to visit with local youth, and he’s quietly hosted several other meet-and-greet events this season. He often visits with children along the sidelines before games.
Just how much is he beloved by the Dallas community? One woman who arrived at Raising Cane’s said she left her job to meet the new Dallas Mavericks player. She was then promptly fired.
“How’s your new year going?” Wood asked her before signing a poster. The woman said it was good, and then after a few seconds, she told him: “I just got fired for coming here. I said ‘I’m leaving, bye.'”
Wood was baffled at the response and paused for a second before fist-pumping her and saying, “respect.”
At that moment, he likely realized just how much his appearance meant to some fans.
Wood, a native of Long Beach, Calif., seemed excited to meet everyone, and he was shocked at the crowd.
“I love it out here,” Wood said. “Everybody shows me love. They show me the love for something little like this, and it means so much.”
When asked what motivates and drives him to give back and serve in the community, Wood said he remembers what it was like to be a little kid.
“Kids, inspiring kids (motivates me),” he shared. “I was once that little kid who prayed to meet a guy like myself at a Cane’s or an event like that. So just being an inspiration for kids across (the board) is big.”
Wood also helped dreams come true around the holidays when he visited with TikTok star Cash Harris along the sidelines before a game. Harris later joined the team at the Mavs practice facility and enjoyed a VIP experience at another home game.
The NBA star was also one of the shining stars at the Mavs’ annual Cookies with Santa holiday event and was among the first to jump in and interact with the youth. He did crafts, helped kids open gifts and created memories that will last a lifetime.
In August 2022, Wood celebrated his arrival in Dallas and gave back to the basketball game by visiting with kids at a Mavs Hoop Camp.
He’s also dreamed of what’s ahead.
“It’s a great opportunity for me and for this organization to try and take that next step,” Wood shared. “I want to win games. My main objective is to try and get to the Finals.”
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