Taylor County's Goodin picks Xavier

Four-star Taylor County point guard Quentin Goodin - the likely early favorite for 2016 Mr. Basketball honors - committed to Xavier on Sunday during an official visit.

"Their style of play fits him, and they really wanted him, recruited him the right way, treated him right," Goodin's father, Chris, said. "(Coach Chris Mack) is a great guy, and this is a great place for him."

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound player also considered Western Kentucky, which has recruited him fervently, Michigan, Florida and Miami. Earlier in the process he'd considered a scholarship offer from Louisville.

Quentin Goodin is rated the No. 71 senior nationally by Rivals.com, No. 74 by Scout.com, No. 89 by 247Sports.com and No. 95 by ESPN.com - and No. 1 in the state by them all.

Chris Goodin said his son likes that Xavier gets the ball out in transition and uses pick-and-rolls in half-court sets.

Chris Goodin said Mack's staff made his son feel like a major priority and attended every one of his games - in New York, Las Vegas and California - last month on the Adidas club circuit. Xavier is also close to home, and Quentin likes being able to travel back to Campbellsville to see his parents and his brother's football games, his dad said.

Taylor County coach Richard Gatewood said that Xavier's academic reputation has impressed the Goodin family, too. Gatewood said Goodin is a good student and a "super-good kid" who has developed into a strong leader for Taylor County's basketball team.

An athletic, strong lead guard who thrives at attacking the rim, Goodin was a first-team All-State pick last season after averaging 21.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game in helping Taylor County reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1983.

"He's a physical, strong point guard," Gatetwood said. "When he gets going downhill, he's hard to stop in transtion. He's great at adjusting his body and taking great angles to the basket. If they're going to play up-tempo with him, that's where he's at his best."

Goodin's biggest area for improvement is his perimeter jump shot, but Gatewood noted that he still shot a decent 32 percent from 3-point range last season. Goodin shot 50.9 percent overall from the floor, and Gatewood praised his shot selection and ability to get in the paint and draw fouls. Goodin shot 74.5 percent at the foul line last season, averaging 5.6 free throws per game.

With recruiting out of the way, Goodin can focus on major high school goals. Gatewood said Taylor County will play a difficult schedule, including another trip to the King of the Bluegrass Holiday Classic at Fairdale, to prepare for the rigors of the postseason and to let Goodin be seen and compete against top teams around the state.

"There's no doubt he wants to win Mr. Basketball," Gatewood said. "And he wants to get the team back to the state tournament and win it all."