Southwest Dekalb forward Shaq Goodwin's stock has been shooting up recruiting boards across the nation. He will be front in center tonight in the 2011 Nike Peach Jam Tournament Final as he leads the Memphis YOMCA team into the final. Goodwin is considered by many to be the top prospect in the state of Georgia and his 29 point 12 rebound performance in the semifinals against the likes of Milton High's Tony Parker help hammer home that distinction.
Goodwin is a 6-foot-8 power forward that is reportedly considering offers from Georgia, Memphis, UCLA, Florida, and Alabama. That UCLA is on the list is significant given that Goodwin has also played for the Atlanta Celtics AAU team. UCLA recently hired former Atlanta Celtics CEO Korey McCray as an assistant coach. This has to be the type of scenario that in state coaches like Mark Fox and Brian Gregory have to fear as neither can afford to let much of the state's top talent escape.
Goodwin will face off tonight in an interesting match up with BABC's center Nerlen Noel who ESPN rates as the No. 1 center in the class of 2013. Noel was a major factor in BABC's victory over the Oakland Soldiers in the semifinals as he recorded a triple double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 blocked shots. He reportedly already has offers from Duke, Kentucky, UConn, Florida, Pitt, and Syracuse with many more sure to come.
The tournament final tips off at 7 p.m. and will be televised live on ESPNU.