Air Force Academy – While some athletes with great talent may have difficulty keeping matters in perspective, Air Force senior guard Antoine Hood has things in order.
He plays like he talks, and the Falcons’ leader always says the right things. Anyone who has watched Hood the past three years knows he can take over a game. But they also know that when the Falcons open their Mountain West Conference season Thursday night against Brigham Young at Clune Arena, his individual performance will be the last thing on his mind.
“No one can win alone,” Hood, said. “I wouldn’t be the player I am today without my teammates. You’re only as good as the people around you.”
Jeff Bzdelik, in his first season as Air Force’s coach, has learned Hood means what he says.
“His intangibles are second to none from any player I’ve ever been around, and I’ve been around some great ones,” said Bzdelik, a former Nuggets coach. “He’s intelligent, he’s a tremendous leader, he’s all about winning. He’s totally unselfish and a team-first guy. Those are the intangibles. Basketball-wise, he’s very, very good.”
Hood’s line proves Bzdelik’s point. He leads the Falcons (12-1) in scoring with 15.3 points a game. He’s tied for second in assists with 33, tied for second in rebounds at 49, is second in blocked shots with five and is third in steals with 21.
Hood has been a vital part of Air Force’s surge in basketball over the past three seasons. But it hasn’t always been smooth for him on the court. He rarely played during his first three years in high school in Sugar Land, Texas.
“I rode the bench a lot in high school,” Hood said. “I’ve been on the scout team and knowing I wouldn’t play. There wasn’t any hope at all. I’m glad it was like that because it instilled in me to work hard. I’ll always stay humble.”
A directive from his mother also helped: Do you want to cry about it, or do you want to make a difference?
“I decided to make a difference and kept working,” the 6-foot-4 Hood said. “I’ve never been satisfied with my play. I don’t feel as if I have accomplished anything yet.”
Hood has played for three head coaches at the academy but says he has learned something from all of them. Joe Scott was the first, teaching Hood to play with heart and bring his top game every time out. Chris Mooney’s instruction focused on poise, control and awareness of the opponent and the game.
“With Coach Bzdelik, you feel like a student every time he speaks,” Hood said. “If you don’t listen, you’re going to miss something vital.”
Bzdelik said he believes Hood will get an opportunity to play in the NBA, provided other factors work in his favor.
“He will have an opportunity to prove if he can play at the next level,” Bzdelik said. “It depends on a chemistry issue, does a winning organization want to fill out a roster with a total chemistry-team guy. He has the ability to defend at the next level. It depends on being at the right place at the right time.”
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
