Ray James Woods (February 2, 1895 – October 1965) was an American college basketball standout for Illinois in the 1910s. A guard, Woods helped lead the Fighting Illini to two Big Ten Conference championships in 1915 and 1917, with the former being an undefeated 16–0 season that resulted in a retroactive national championship. In all three seasons he played at the school, Woods was named an All-American and was honored as the Helms Foundation National Player of the Year as a senior in 1916–17. He was Illinois' first-ever All-American in basketball and teamed up with his brother, Ralf (a forward), in guiding the school to their first era of basketball dominance.
Personal information | |
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Born | February 2, 1895 |
Died | October 1965 (aged 70) |
Nationality | American |
Career information | |
High school | Evanston (Evanston, Illinois) |
College | Illinois (1914–1917) |
Position | Guard |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Season | Games | Points | PPG | Big Ten Record |
Overall Record |
Postseason |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1914–15 | 16 | 58 | 3.6 | 12–0 | 16–0 | Helms Foundation National Champions Premo-Porretta National Champions Big Ten Conference Champions |
1915–16 | 16 | 52 | 3.25 | 9–3 | 13–3 | – |
1916–17 | 16 | 38 | 2.4 | 10–2 | 13–3 | Big Ten Conference Champions |
Totals | 48 | 148 | 3.1 | 31–5 | 42–6 |