Loren Gerard Woods[1] (born June 21, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player. He previously played six seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Woods attended high school at Cardinal Ritter College Prep. He started his college career at Wake Forest University, where he was supposed to take over the center position once Tim Duncan left. However, he transferred to the University of Arizona.[citation needed]
Woods was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2001 NBA draft. After leaving the Timberwolves, Woods played for the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors, where he appeared in 45 games during the 2004–05 season and posted a career best 3.9 points per game. On 15 August 2006, he signed with the Sacramento Kings as a backup center,[2][3] but he was waived before the season began.[4]
Woods joined the Lithuanian giants Žalgiris Kaunas in 2007.[5] In June 2007, he joined the Turkish side Efes Pilsen. He signed two 10-day contracts with the Houston Rockets on 21 March and 1 April 2008.[6][7] He was then waived by the Rockets on 14 July 2008.[8] he signed again with Žalgiris Kaunas on 16 July.[5] His tenure with the Rockets ended up being his last time in the NBA, as his final game was Game 1 of the 2008 Western Conference First Round against the Utah Jazz on a April 19, 2008. In his final game, Woods played for only one minute but was able to record 2 points and 1 rebound. Houston would go on to lose the series to Utah in 6 games.
Woods joined CAI Zaragoza in 2009.[9]
In October 2010 he signed with Al Riyadi Beirut in Lebanon,[10] where he averaged 14.3 points and 14.3 rebounds.[11] In 2012, he signed with Al Riyadi Beirut again.[12] On 20 December 2014 he was released by Al Riyadi Beirut.[13]
In July 2013, Woods became a naturalized Lebanese citizen, and a member of their national basketball team.[14]
After the 2013 suspension in which Lebanon were unable to compete FIBA competitions, he was once again called by 2015 head coach Veselin Matić as a solution to the 5 position for the coming 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in September.[citation needed]
Woods appeared in the 2022 holiday musical movie Spirited as The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come.[15]