After initially saying he would not sign until the spring period, Shaq Goodwin signed with Memphis on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-8 Goodwin joins AAU teammate Damien Wilson in the Tigers’ 2012 signing class.
Memphis had previously missed out on power forward Alex Poythress, who chose Kentucky. The Tigers are also involved with 6-8 Jarnell Stokes of Memphis, who may end up signing in the late period.
Goodwin is rated as the No. 19 prospect in the nation by ESPNU, and the best prospect in the state of Georgia.
“Coach [Damon] Stoudamire and Coach [Jack] Murphy deserve all the credit on this,” Memphis coach Josh Pastner said. “Shaq is extremely contagious with positive energy, and it just flows throughout his game. He plays with a tremendous motor; he’s very versatile and can shoot the three. He’s a very, very good rebounder as well and just a high character guy that fits right in with our current student-athletes.”
Goodwin helped lead Southwest DeKalb High School to a 24-6 record in 2010-11 before losing 70-53 to Rockdayle County in the Class AAAA Georgia State Championship game.
Goodwin averaged a double-double of 18 points and 10.1 rebounds per game last season at Southwest DeKalb while shooting over 70 percent from the floor. He also averaged 3.2 blocks per contest. Goodwin’s best performance came in a playoff win over Lakeside in which he scored 41 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
Goodwin received Georgia Class AAAA All-State first team honors for his performance during the 2010-11 season.
Goodwin is also a part of the same AAU program as Wilson, the Atlanta Celtics. Alumni of the Celtics include current NBA players Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, Derrick Favors, Joe Johnson and Amare Stoudemire.
(Photo courtesy AJC)
