Woodard grew up playing basketball and baseball but narrowed his focus to basketball by the time he started high school, in part due to his exceptional height.[1] He was already receiving Division I college attention in eighth grade. He played basketball for Columbus High School in Columbus, Mississippi.[2] As a sophomore, Woodard led Columbus to its first Mississippi Class 6A state title after averaging 20.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and four assists per game.[3] In his junior season, he averaged 25.2 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and three blocks per game and was named Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year.[4] As a senior, Woodard won his second Class 6A state championship and repeated as Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year.[1] A four-star recruit and the highest-rated prospect in his state, he committed to play college basketball for Mississippi State over offers from Alabama, Memphis and Ole Miss, among others.[5]
College career
As a freshman, Woodard averaged 5.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 17.4 minutes per game. He started one contest and shot 46 percent on field goals. He spent the following summer working on his shooting and lifting weights.[6] On November 17, 2019, Woodard set career highs with 21 points and 16 rebounds in an 82–59 win over New Orleans.[7] As a sophomore, Woodard averaged 11.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.[8] Following the season, Woodard declared for the 2020 NBA draft, with the intention of remaining in the draft.[9] He had career totals of 539 points, 53 steals, 49 blocks, 65 assists and 342 rebounds.[10]
Professional career
Sacramento Kings (2020–2022)
Woodard was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 40th pick in the 2020 NBA draft. He was subsequently traded alongside a 2022 second-round draft selection to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Xavier Tillman.[11] On December 1, 2020, Woodard was signed by the Kings.[12] On February 1, 2021, it was announced Woodard would have his first assignment at the NBA G League for the Austin Spurs.[13]
On January 5, 2022, Woodard was assigned to the Stockton Kings after suffering an undisclosed illness.[14] On February 10, he was waived by the Kings.[15]
On October 4, 2022, Woodard signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. On October 7, Woodard was waived after appearing in one pre season game. On November 3, 2022, Woodard was named to the opening night roster for the Oklahoma City Blue.[19]
Woodard's father, also named Robert Woodard, left high school as the Mississippi all-time leading scorer in boys basketball, with 4,274 points, before playing for Mississippi State at the collegiate level.[6]
