New St. Louis coach Travis Ford landed a huge commitment on Friday when Jordan Goodwin pledged to the Billikens on Twitter.
The 6-foot-4 Class of 2017 shooting guard out of Bellevile (IL) Althoff Catholic also considered home state Illinois, among others, but opted for St. Louis in part because assistant coach Corey Tate left the Missouri coaching staff for St. Louis. Tate was Goodwin’s former coach with the St. Louis Eagles AAU program.
“He played a big role,” Goodwin told the Post-Dispatch. “Coach Tate coached me two years. Put him and coach (Travis) Ford in one pot and you’ve got a good match. With coach Tate being the person he is and going too SLU, it made a big difference.”
Goodwin averaged 18 points and 5 rebounds last season while leading Althoff to the Class 3A state title.
MURPHY TO NORTHEASTERN
Tomas Murphy, a 6-8 forward from Northfield Mount Hermon (MA), committed to Northeastern on Friday via Twitter.
The younger brother of Alex and Erik Murphy, Tomas also considered Pitt, Butler and Georgia, NMH coach John Carroll said.
Florida, Maryland and Xavier had previously offered.
“Tomas has his best basketball ahead of him,” Carroll said. “He’s a skilled multi-positional player that can stretch an offense and get in the post to score. He is young for his class and will see his development skyrocket with added physical maturity.
“Tomas could be an All-CAA player for Northeastern.”
ALVARADO TO VISIT RUTGERS
Jose Alvarado, a Class of 2017 point guard from New York Catholic League power Christ the King, will visit Rutgers unofficially on Saturday, he told SNY.tv.
Alvarado is Rutgers’ top target in the Class of 2017 and previously visited in June.
“The new staff made me feel so comfortable, they welcomed me,” he told SNY.tv then. “They had the whole staff welcome me when I came in. Coach [Steve Pikiell’s] energy is really hype, I love it. He’s a really good guy and he has good people around him.”
Rutgers has since added 2017 point guard Geo Baker but believes the two can play together.
Rutgers also hosted elite Class of 2018 forward Naz Reid this week.
MINAYA VISITS HOFSTRA
Justin MInaya, a 6-5, 180-pound junior shooting guard from Old Tappan (N.J.) High School who is the son of former Mets GM Omar Minaya, visited Hofstra on Friday, he confirmed to SNY.tv.
He will also visit Boston University, Fordham, Monmouth, American and UNC-Wilmington in the coming weeks,’ his father said.
As for a timetable on deciding, “We are in no rush,” Omar said. “He is only 17.”
