FAMU MBB adds assistant from No. 1 HS team in nation to staff

Courtesy of FAMU Athletics

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –– Florida A&M (FAMU) men’s basketball finalizes its staff with the addition of Giovonne Woods as an assistant coach.

“Gio is a big-time get for our program,” said Head Coach Patrick Crarey II. “A phenomenal young coach from Montverde Academy, the best high school program in the country. He played ten years overseas and has that chip on his shoulder from his D2 playing days.  He will lead our player development and will be an integral part of our recruiting base. Gio fits the personality and style of our staff. Very excited to welcome him to Tallahassee.”

Woods joined the Rattlers after spending the last three seasons as an assistant coach and head of player development at Montverde Academy. Montverde finished 2024 ranked as the number-one team in the nation. Woods was part of two National Championships at Montverde (2022, 2024). He also served as the head coach of the post-grad team from 2022-2024, having a 56-22 record, and won the Central Division Title in 2023.

Before Montverde Academy, Woods was a graduate assistant at the University of Washington during the 2020-2021 COVID season. Woods was involved in player development, video, and scouting. Before Washington, Woods served as the interim head coach for Lanse Cruese High School in Harrison Township, Michigan.

Woods was born in Detroit, Michigan, but relocated to Lacey, Washington. Woods graduated from River Ridge High School in 2004 as a four-year varsity player in football and basketball. Woods was part of the 1000-point club and named all-conference, all-area, and all-state as a senior in both sports. Woods went on to attend The Evergreen State College, then transferred to San Jose City College before finishing his career at Central Washington University from 2006-09. While at CWU, Woods’ senior season, his team was ranked in the top 15 in the country and competed in the Division II National Tournament.

After college, Woods played professionally for ten years overseas in Austria, Spain, Croatia, Finland, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Venezuela, Mexico, Iraq, and Tunisia before retiring in 2020.

Giovonne Woods earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 2009 from Central Washington and his Master’s degree in 2021 at the University of Washington.

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