About Al Woods

I’m originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, where my love for basketball began. 

I attended Bayside High School, and by the time I hit high school, basketball wasn’t just a hobby, it became an obsession. 

I’ll never forget the day I didn’t make the 10th-grade team. 

Instead of sulking, I went straight to an outdoor court after school and started working on my game. 

I was out there every single day. That same day, I saw my coach drive by slowly. 

A few minutes later, my father did the same, he even stopped to watch me. 

That moment stuck with me. I made the team in 11th grade, and again in my senior year.

My college journey wasn’t traditional. 

I bounced around a few junior colleges before finding my footing at West Virginia State College in 1983 at age 22. 

I went to summer school, worked hard, and had a solid college career. 

Then in 1986, something incredible happened: I got the chance to play professional basketball in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

After my playing career ended, I knew I wanted to stay in the game and help student athletes. 

I remembered how, years before, athletes got recruited from simply being listed in a newsletter, a few stats, a short write-up, and their contact info. 

That idea stayed with me.

In 1989, I launched my own recruiting service. 

At first, I didn’t charge a dime, I wanted to learn the business and sharpen my skills. 

By 1996, I began charging, and by 1998, I went all in. 

I quit both my jobs and made recruiting my full-time mission. It took off!!!

Then in 2017, everything changed. 

I was diagnosed with APL leukemia. 

I had to step away and focus on my health. 

Chemotherapy took a toll, weight gain, exhaustion, mood swings, but I beat it. 

I stepped away from the recruiting world to heal, and I’m grateful I had the strength and support to get through it.

By 2024, I decided to return, but with a new approach. 

I was no longer interested in chasing parents down with phone calls, trying to sell them on a recruiting service. 

I wanted to focus on what I love most, writing. 

I began offering scouting reports, completely free of charge, to give student athletes the exposure they deserve. 

Recruiting is complicated, but exposure is the key. 

That’s my way of giving back.

I’ve lived in Cleveland, Ohio since the end of my playing days. 

I’ve been in a loving relationship for over 30 years, and together we’ve raised a wonderful son. 

I’m a proud supporter of Cleveland’s sports teams, the Browns, Cavs, and Guardians.

Outside of basketball, I enjoy reading (I have a huge book collection), playing chess, and spending time with family and friends. 

But my number one passion, beyond family, is helping basketball student athletes. 

These scouting reports are my way of staying connected to the game and the next generation.

Basketball changed my life. 

Growing up in Virginia Beach, I was on the court every day, rain or shine, winter or summer. 

If the high school season was over, I was still out there, getting reps in. 

That hunger never left me.

That’s my story. I even went back and earned my college degree in 1990 after playing pro ball overseas. 

That was a personal victory. 

Basketball has given me so much, and I’m proud to still be part of this game, doing what I love, helping student athletes chase their dreams.