UCLA basketball: Bruins impress key recruit William ‘Shaq’ Goodwin

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UCLA picked a good weekend to host highly touted two-sport recruit William ‘Shaq’ Goodwin on his official visit.

Goodwin watched part of the Bruins’ come-from-behind football victory over Arizona State at the Rose Bowl on Saturday before catching their 80-72 triumph over Cal State San Bernardino in basketball on Sunday at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.

‘I didn’t know their games would be that packed,’ the 6-foot-8, 235-pound power forward from Decatur (Ga.) Southwest Dekalb High said of the Rose Bowl on Sunday afternoon. ‘It made a good impression on me.’

Too bad for UCLA that Goodwin, a tight end who intends to play two sports in college, only stayed until halftime and missed a thrilling finish. But he said Coach Rick Neuheisel’s team impressed him nonetheless.

‘They’re good,’ Goodwin said. ‘They’re better than I thought they were, but I think I could help them.’

UCLA marked the second official visit for Goodwin, who has also toured Memphis’ campus. He said he doesn’t have a favorite but that he does have a top five: UCLA, Memphis, Georgia, Florida and Arizona.

Any Bruins fans hoping Goodwin will sign a binding letter of intent next week during the early signing period stands to be disappointed; he said he would not sign until the spring.

Asked whether the presence of Bruins assistant coach Korey McCray, Goodwin’s onetime coach with the Atlanta Celtics club team, would help UCLA, Goodwin said, ‘It does, but it’s not a big factor.’ The Bruins have already landed a commitment from shooting guard Jordan Adams, a former club teammate of Goodwin’s who played under McCray with the Celtics.

Goodwin said he was impressed with Coach Ben Howland’s persistence in his recruiting.

‘He comes to my school a lot; he shows a lot of support,’ Goodwin said. ‘That’s not common among head coaches.’

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-- Ben Bolch