Gottfried Gives Moxley The Green Light on Goodman

Who is Savon Goodman?  Many NC State fans are asking this question today.  The Wolfpack fan base is curious why his name just popped up on their radar on signing day…so late in the game.  Why has no one been talking about this 4-star combo forward?   Well, this morning we give you the answers you’re looking for.

Most college coaches haven’t been recruiting Goodman this season, because most of them were under the impression that he would prep next season in order to get his academics in line.  In fact, there was a plan in place for him to go to Brewster Academy next season to prep for a year.  Well, the plan might have changed.  According to Goodman’s head coach Rob Moore at Philadelphia Constitution, he has qualified academically.  Once the word got out that Goodman might be on the market, high level division-I coaches started calling in an aggressive manner.

“Since he qualified academically, Savon decided that he wanted to go to college now.  Many kids go prep because they want to better there options.  That’s not the case for Savon.  He has colleges from all the major conferences knocking at his door right now,” said Moore.  ”With that being said, there is still the chance that he ends up prepping next season, because he wants to make sure that he makes the right decision on his school choice.  Kids like Amile spent 2.5 years making this decision.  Savon has a month or so.”

In a matter of 24 hours, the floodgates have opened up for Savon.  Moore listed NC State, West Virginia, Pitt, UNLV, Gonzaga, Missouri, and SMU as the main schools that have jumped on the scene, but the list continually grows.

According to Moore, NC State reached out to Savon for the first time yesterday.  While I was speaking to Moore on the phone at 10:30am this morning, he informed me that he was on his way to the high school to get Goodman out of class and put him on the phone with NC State Assistant Coach Rob Moxley.  At this point NC State still hasn’t offered, but that could change very soon, considering they are probably talking on the phone as I type this.

“I can’t say enough about this kid.  Whoever gets Savon is getting a player who is college ready.  Many colleges have to get players physically and athletically ready to play at the college level,” said Moore.  ”No one will have that problem with him.  He’s an athletic specimen and is stronger than most on the court.”

Moore only coached Goodman for one season at Philadelphia Constitution, but the young man left a lasting impression.  Goodman helped lead his squad to a City Championship and a State Championship.  He scored over 800 points in a single season, which is the second highest single season total in the Philadelphia Public League history.  The team started 9-9, but once Goodman and the rest of the players gelled, there was no stopping them.  They won 18 of their final 20 games, and ended the season on a 14-game winning streak.  During that streak they beat their opponents by over 20 points each game.  Philadelphia Constitution won their City Championship by 25 and the State Championship by 19.

“None of this would have been possible without Savon.  He’s a walking double-double.  He scored 40+ points in 5 games this season,” said Moore.”  ”He averaged 28 points and 14 rebounds this season.  Savon pulled down 10 offensive rebounds in the State Championship game.  He took us to the next level.”

Moore admits that Goodman has a bunch of options on the table, but thinks that NC State would be a good fit.

“Coach Gottfried gave Coach Moxley the go ahead to go all out.  I think it would be a good fit.  NC State needs bodies.  They have three really good players coming in next year, but I don’t think any of those guys are in the same mold as Savon,” said Moore.  ”He is so physical.  He is a natural rebounder.  You can assume that CJ Leslie will be gone after next season.  He’s the type of kid with his strength and athleticism that would make an immediate impact at NC State.”

This story has the potential to unfold quickly and we will continue to keep you posted.