Goodwin signs with Kentucky
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Archie Goodwin has ascended into national Top 10 basketball recruit rankings as a member of the Arkansas Wings.
VIDEO: Goodwin signs with Kentucky
David Harten
November 15, 2011
SHERWOOD — Archie Goodwin is officially a Wildcat.
The star guard for Sylvan Hills signed his national letter of intent to play for Kentucky on Tuesday morning at a ceremony in the Sylvan Hills gym, officially ending a recruiting process that garnered national attention.
"I don't think I could imagine a greater feeling than this," Goodwin said.
The 6-4, 180-pound wing was also considering offers from Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas and Memphis. He orally committed to the Wildcats on Sept. 21, announcing it via his Twitter page.
The no. 3 shooting guard and no. 13 overall prospect in the nation according to Scout.com, Goodwin ended an arduous process that he is happy to have finished.
"It's like, it's taken 1,000 pounds off my shoulders," Goodwin said. "All the stuff that goes with this, you know, I love it. But at the same time, I'm glad to get it over with and now I can focus on just playing basketball."
He also understands that signing with Kentucky means spurning the home-state Hogs, and while Goodwin said the first few weeks he never heard the end of the banter for not choosing Arkansas, the noise has calmed down considerably in the last week or so.
Goodwin, a senior, averaged 25 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals last season, shooting 45 percent from the field and helping the Bears to a runner-up finish in the Class 5A state tournament. An all-state guard, Goodwin was the 2011 Arkansas Mr. Basketball and Gatorade State Player of the Year.
That 'runner-up' tag is now what coach Kevin Davis and Goodwin will focus on. Davis applauded Goodwin's maturity during the most publicized recruitment in the state of Arkansas.
"It's been remarkable how well Archie and the guys have handled all the pressure," Davis said. "But I tell you, another testament to Archie Goodwin, when Archie did go ahead and announce early, he said, 'these other schools have guys to get on with. I already know my decision.' Very unselfish to say they need to get on with their business, I need to get on with my business."
The Bears open their season in the Rumble on the Ridge Tournament at Forrest City High School, Nov. 24-26.
Read more about this story in tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
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