Rockets center Christian Wood focused on winning in 2022-23 and beyond

HOUSTON — Astros fans have not seen a player take the mound who was at least 6-foot-10 since Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson pitched one season for the Astros in 1998. At least in a ceremonial sense, they were treated to another athlete of his stature on Wednesday.

Houston Rockets center Christian Wood was given the honor to throw out the first pitch before the Astros took on the Seattle Mariners.

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“It was further than I thought,” Wood said regarding the distance from the mound to home plate at Minute Maid Park. “He (Chas McCormick, outfielder) caught it, and that’s all I am really happy for. He caught the ball. It was harder than I thought it was, but I am glad I got it there.”

It was Wood’s first time attending a major league game, and he expressed how honored he was for the Astros organization to reach out to him about throwing out the first pitch.

“It feels amazing,” said Wood. “It means a lot, especially coming from H-Town. I am just happy to be here and enjoy this baseball game.”

Before Christian Wood (@Chriswood_5)threw out his ceremonial 1st pitch prior to the Astros playing the Mariners, he said this is his “first baseball game ever. I’m happy to support the team,an H-Town favorite. They were in the World Series last year.I’m hoping to see a good game” pic.twitter.com/xYCSVyobTg

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 8, 2022

Wood, 26, started 68 games and was the leading scorer for the Rockets lastseason, averaging 17.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He can receive up to a four-year, $77 million contract extension this offseason, and he said Wednesday that he and the Rockets had initial talks.

“That’s just something we could talk about later in the summer,” Wood said when asked to detail the conversations. “We’ll have to see.”

Many of Wood’s teammates have been in and out of Houston this summer, working out at the team’s practice facility. Wood says he has primarily been in Los Angeles. working on his game. Besides attending the Astros game, Wood said he is in town to catch up with teammates and continue building chemistry with some of Houston’s younger players.

After finishing the 2021-22 season with a 20-62 record, which was worst in the NBA, Wood is eager to show the Rockets fans and the rest of the NBA that he is ready to take Houston to the next level.

“I just want to win,” Wood told reporters. “I am focused on trying to win games and trying to get to the playoffs. I haven’t been to the playoffs yet in my career. That’s what I’m focused on.”