Auburn leads for in-state shooting guard

AUBURN | Class of 2018 shooting guard Diante Wood plans to announce his commitment in November, and unless something changes, it will be to Auburn.

Wood, who is from Sacred Heart in Anniston, has the Tigers atop his list of favorites that also includes Alabama and Wichita State.

“They have been on me since I was in the eighth grade and I’ve been down here a couple of times, so they are at the top," Wood said.

Wood visited Auburn again on Sunday for the Chuck Person Shooting Camp. He and Person, who serves as associate head coach under Bruce Pearl, have developed a strong bond in the three years Person has been recruiting Wood to Auburn.

“I have a real good relationship with Coach Person,” Wood said.

A relationship he likely will continue to build in college. Wood spent Sunday working and learning under Person, who was the No. 4 overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft.

“It helped a lot,” Wood said of Person’s camp. “Everything he said made a lot of sense. I learned a lot and I’ll go home and work on it.”

Wood’s relationship with Person is only one of the reasons he has high interest in Auburn.

“It’s a great campus, and they have a good football team,” Wood said. “But Coach Pearl is building something here. He’s going to make it a basketball school.”

Most importantly for Wood, “It feels like home.”

Wood, who is 6-foot-6 and weighs 190 pounds, was accompanied on the visit by his parents and nephew. All were impressed.

“They loved it,” Wood said.

Wood is holding off from making a commitment only to be positive of his choice before announcing.

“I’m just making sure I make the right decision for me and my family,” Wood said. “I don’t want to rush it."

Wood has led Sacred Heart to three straight 1A state championships.