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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 04 June 2006 |
 ElevationMag: Can you please introduce yourself to anyone who does not know who Cory Underwood is yet?
Cory Underwood: ElevationMag... world, Cory Underwood aka C-Wood aka The Undertaker aka "Money On the Wood Make the Game Go good." 6-foot-10, 240 pounds, lefty, best big man in NYC, period!. Best scoring big man in the city, period!. Out of town they call me "Young DC", and I'm talking Syracuse/NJ Nets Derrick Coleman. I can do it all; dribble, shoot, rebound, block shots, and I shoot that NBA three now. Yeah, it's serious!!
What would you say is the strongest point of your game?
My height, being a lefty is a major plus. I'm very mobile. I can do a lot of things with the ball. Skilled. Great footwork, but that lost art of scoring in the post is where I'll always win, and no I'm not talking about putting your head down and throwing up a shot. I'm talking reverse pivots, step-through's, etc. Mid-post, mid-range jumper. I'll even pull you out on the wing... give me too much room, jumper. You press up, bye-bye. Yes, this is what I do, ask around! Last summer there wasn't too many games where I didn't have 20 and up...
You have played in just about every minor league imaginable including the CBA, ABA, and the USBL. Would you say the CBA is the most competitive?
By far the CBA, it's almost like a simulation of the NBA. You have your two or three young guys, three or four vets, then three or four "middle" guys, 24-29 years old. On my team in the CBA, I can honestly say every player, with the exception of one or two, can play in the NBA. We had two NBA vets on our team, Anthony Goldwire and Pig Miller. The D-league has a bunch of young guys running around trying to get stats, still playing college-style ball. Its a little harder to score against Shelly Clark (CBA's Charles Oakley) than one of those guys my age in the D-League. Trust me, that grown-man strength is no joke! However, there is talent in the D-league, don't get me wrong.
Which minor league would give any player the best opportunity to get recognized by an NBA franchise?
The CBA and the D-League. Pretty much if you are doing a solid job in either league you will get noticed. The NBA is funny, it depends what teams are looking for. In a situation like mine most teams are looking to fill a need, they have superstar players already. If you can bring positive energy in the locker room, there is a spot for you. If you can push a starter in practice, make him work hard, there's a spot for you. There's a lot of ways to get in.
Do you feel you can make the NBA at this stage in your career?
Yes. It's just a matter of getting into the right situation. I'm 26 and as a post player with size I feel our window of opportunity stays open a little longer than guards. Bigs are always in demand, I'd say I have 'till 28. If it doesn't happen by then I'll focus on Europe. All I can do is prepare myself and pray for it to happen, and I'm pretty sure my time is coming soon.
Have you heard from any NBA teams?
Yes, I don't wanna say who, but I can say with confidence that there's five or six NBA teams who know Cory Underwood and are monitoring him very closely.
You have played in Poland and Brazil, how did you adjust to life overseas?
Brazil was beautiful, the basketball was ok, people think its not good but they can play...ask Homicide (Corey Williams), he'll tell you. I didn't get paid so I left after six weeks, nice vacation though (laughing).
As for Poland, I was told I played very well, but they were looking for a seven-footer. I was there with Chudney Gray. We both were shocked. I played 1 game... 17 minutes, had 6 points (they didn't want me to score, just rebound and play defense), 7 rebounds, 2 blocks and 4 steals....in 17 minutes... We won, I did what they asked, it still didn't work out.
What have you learned from your experiences overseas?
What I learned from my 2 experiences overseas is; I'll never jump on a plane again unless I know the team knows who I am, has seen me play a few times, and they know what they are getting from me. I think both situations were teams scrambling for help, just bringing in somebody whose profile they saw on eurobasket.com. The Brazil team was shocked how good I was when I arrived. They told me they were looking for somebody to just rebound, do the dirty work. However, after watching me
play a few times, they ended up making me the focus of the offense. Trust me when I do go back to Europe, it will be well thought out.
What countries would you like to play in?
I would like to play in Spain, Italy, Greece, Belgium, France or Israel....THAT'S IT!
What are your plans for this summer? Will we be seeing you at the Rucker?
Oh, for sure, there's nothing like 55th in the summer. Last year my team Family Tree/Black Wall Street won it. I had a big game versus Terror Squad that got us to the finals. That game put me on the map in Harlem. As you know big guys hardly ever touch the ball at 55th, but that game, that front line they had DP, Gordy Malone, Ant Glove, Kash, Rob Lewin, all them cats. I was ready to kill whoever was guarding me! As for who I'm playing with, not sure. Family Tree, Certified... Mousey and I have spoken a few times, so there are some options. You can also catch me at Orchard Beach, Hoops in the Sun, West 4th, Dyckman, Nike Pro-City, Pro-Rucker....I'll be there....also, big shouts to my summer coach Tee, Money Train for life!
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