With his graduation just a couple of weeks away, it is time to take a look back at former University of Memphis men’s basketball player Shaq Goodwin. The four-year senior out of Atlanta, Georgia, ended his career with the Blue and Gray following Memphis’ loss to UConn in the American Athletic Conference tournament title game last month. This is Goodwin’s career by the numbers.
10.7: Goodwin averaged 10.7 points per game in his four seasons at Memphis. Goodwin ended his Tigers’ career in the top 15 in points scored all time (1440).
However, the senior forward had an up-and-down career. After making the AAC all-conference second team in his sophomore season and being named to the AAC all-conference preseason team, Goodwin struggled in his junior season averaging just 9.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
In addition, Goodwin was benched at times, but Goodwin bounced back strongly at the end of the 2014-15 season. Regardless, it was arguably the low point of Goodwin’s Memphis career. Nevertheless, the strong finish from the 2014-15 season carried over to the 2015-16 season as Goodwin individually had by far his best season at Memphis. He made the AAC all-conference first team and averaged 14.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
2: Apart from being Goodwin’s jersey number, two represents the good and bad of his career. The Tigers made the NCAA tournament in Goodwin’s first two seasons at the U of M, but failed to make the postseason altogether in his junior and senior seasons. Memphis also won two tournament games in those two appearances.
However, he had two seasons, especially his junior season, which left somewhat a disappointing taste in Tiger nation mouths. Though Goodwin also made two all-conference teams, both seasons saw him average double-digits scoring wise, as mentioned earlier.
9: Goodwin made nine 3-pointers in his four years at Memphis. Each 3-pointer celebrated as much if not more than the first one. While he shot just 9 for 36 from long range in his career, it was always an adventure when Goodwin would line up for three. If you were wondering, Goodwin made a 3-pointer in eight Tiger games over the past three seasons (he didn’t shoot any his freshman season); however, Memphis went just 4-4 in games in which he recorded a 3-pointer.
4: One of just four players in Pastner’s seven seasons to play for the Blue and Gray all four years, Goodwin became one of the few staples of the Pastner era. His longevity saw him finish not only in the top 15 in scoring all time but in the top 10 in rebounds and top three in blocks, one of three Tigers to accomplish that feat.
However, it should be noted few expected Goodwin to play all four years when he made his debut for the Tigers in 2012. His performance in his senior season was expected more often throughout his Memphis career, but in fairness to Goodwin he eventually got there, most players do not.
Shaq Goodwin dunks the ball in an exhibition game against Christian Brothers University in the 2014-15 season. Goodwin finished top 15 in program history in scoring and top 10 in rebounding.
