Kraidon Woods transfers to Drake

*Courtesy of Drake Sports Information

TRANSFER WOODS JOINS DRAKE MEN'S BASKETBALL PROGRAM

DES MOINES, IOWA -- Kraidon Woods, a 6-foot 8-inch, 215-pound forward, has signed a financial aid agreement to join the Drake University men's basketball program after transferring from Binghamton University.

Woods, a native of Hennryville, Pa., will be eligible immediately based on approval of an NCAA waiver request and will have two years of eligibility at Drake.

"We are extremely excited that Kraidon (Woods) will be joining the Bulldog family and have the opportunity to contribute immediately in the 2010-2011 season," said Drake head basketball coach Mark Phelps. "Kraidon adds front court depth, athleticism, length and maturity to our team. He is an outstanding young man from a terrific family who is hungry to resume his college career.

Woods began his collegiate career at Arizona State where he played in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Woods originally signed with Villanova in the fall of 2005 before attending The Hill Prep School in Pottstown, Pa. He averaged 11.7 points and 6.1 rebounds at The Hill Prep School in 2006-2007 earning first-team all-Mid-Atlantic Prep League honors while leading his squad to the championship of the Pennsylvania Independent Tournament.

"Kraidon embodies the values that our university, athletics department and basketball program hold dear and he is excited to become part of that culture. He becomes the final piece of a five- man class that we are excited about and are very much looking forward to working with," Phelps added.

Woods was a four-year starter at Pocono Mountain (Pa.) East High School where he scored 1,186 career points, leading his team to two Mountain Valley Conference titles.