10 Archie Goodwin

Archie Goodwin was born Archie Lee Goodwin III on August 17, 1994, in Little Rock, Arkansas. A standout at Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood, he led the Bears to back-to-back state championship games and capped his senior season by scoring 27 points with seven rebounds in a victory that secured the 2012 Arkansas Class 5A state title. Goodwin was a two-time Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year, Arkansas Mr. Basketball, a McDonald’s All-American and a Parade All-American. One of the nation’s highest-rated guards in the 2012 recruiting class, he chose Kentucky over Arkansas, Memphis, Connecticut, Kansas and other major programs.

Goodwin immediately became one of Kentucky’s primary offensive weapons as a freshman in 2012–13. Starting for the Wildcats, he led the team in scoring at 14.1 points per game while adding 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists. His aggressive drives and ability to attack the basket made him especially dangerous in transition and at the free-throw line. Goodwin earned SEC All-Freshman honors and was named to the SEC Tournament All-Tournament Team during his lone season in Lexington.

Two early-season performances illustrated his considerable potential. Goodwin scored a career-high 28 points against Morehead State, adding three blocked shots and making 12 free throws. Against LIU Brooklyn, he came within a rebound and an assist of only the second triple-double in Kentucky history, finishing with 22 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in a 104–75 victory.

After the season, Goodwin entered the 2013 NBA Draft and was selected 29th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder before his rights were traded to the Phoenix Suns on draft night. He spent his first three NBA seasons with Phoenix and later played for the New Orleans Pelicans and Brooklyn Nets. Goodwin subsequently continued his professional career in the NBA G League and overseas, playing in several international leagues after his time in the NBA.