Arkansas is not a typical state known for basketball; at least not compared to those of New York, New Jersey, and Virginia.
However, soon, Archie Goodwin (Class of 2012, Sylvan Hills, Arkansas) will put the state on the map.
Goodwin is currently coveted by many prestigious college programs, including Kentucky.
The interest is not just a one-way street, though.
The 6-5 guard has been heard raving about the ‘Cats and the Kentucky way of life since his visit to Lexington earlier in the year.
“The school is very beautiful,” he complimented.
He then went on to describe the city of Lexington and its love for the game of basketball:
“Basketball is the city (Lexington). The fans focus on basketball, and I love a city like that is interested in its program.”
This also should explain his huge interest in the University of Kentucky and the pedestal is rests on.
All recruits are going to be attracted to Kentucky (elite player or not), but Goodwin seems to take it all to a next level.
“Kentucky is phenomenal as far as the background. It has always been a top team and has a rich history.”
Now, with Coach Calipari there, it is the best of both worlds for the junior.
“I always grew up watching Coach Calipari at Memphis and I loved how hard he worked. He is doing it at Kentucky now and he has taken the program to the next level. I’m glad to have the staff recruiting me,” he said thankfully.
He didn’t hold back when he said “I have a pretty high interest in Kentucky” either.
But is it crazy to hear a kid go on and on about a team that has yet to offer him a scholarship, compared to other teams that are recruiting him and have?
Well, there is a solution.
When I asked him if Calipari had offered him a scholarship, he replied with a disappointed “no.” But he followed up with this:
“The last game Coach Calipari came to, he told me he guaranteed a scholarship offer within the next two weeks.”
This could be related to the reported decision of John Calipari rescinding the scholarship offer of 2011 star DeAndre Daniels. I doubt it, but with the pulled scholarship, Goodwin should be receiving that offer in the near future.
Calipari is making Goodwin one of his top priorities in 2012, but who isn’t?
“Coach Calipari has been to a lot of my games so far. He doesn’t have all the time because I play when Kentucky plays sometime, but when he gets off time, he told me the coaches will come watch.”
Obviously, Kentucky has to be recruiting the young man to a very high extent, especially compare to others.
“Kentucky is one of the top teams recruiting me. They come to my games and practice a lot. I usually email Coach Orlando (Antigua) every day, just to stay in touch.
He is also close to the team itself.
“I’m pretty cool with Brandon Knight, too.”
Let’s hope he turns out like Knight has so far in his freshman year.
While he is still high on Kentucky and vice-versa, it would be crazy not to be considering other teams.
When asked about visits he has taken so far and visits he had planned, he replied with this:
“I went to the Georgetown vs. Memphis game at Christmas. Right now, I have no visits lined up to Kentucky or anywhere else, but my next visit will probably be to Louisville.”
Yes, Big Blue Nation, those Cards’ are also in on the stud from Little Rock.
However, don’t look for them to play too big of a role in his decision.
“I can’t say that I have a list right now, but I would say Kentucky, Memphis, and Arkansas are right up there. I could make a case for all teams recruiting me to have the top spot.”
It makes sense why these three are the top contenders at this point:
Kentucky is one of the top programs in the land and he fits in the system well; Memphis was one of the first teams to start looking recruiting him; Arkansas is his hometown team.
The only thing is, Kentucky is the only team out of the three to offer Goodwin a scholarship, yet he still has the Wildcats as a top contender.
Just imagine when he fields that offer.
It should be very soon.
Kentucky will join many teams, including Arkansas, Memphis, Baylor, Louisville, Kansas, USF, Nebraska, Marquette, and Florida State.
Archie Goodwin could very easily be sporting Kentucky blue, and Big Blue Nation could be chanting his name come the 2012-13 season.
Follow Garrett Tucker on Twitter [URL=”http://twitter.com/GTuckersports”]@GTuckersports[/URL] for more info on Kentucky and basketball recruiting.
