NBA Draft Blog Interview With Andrew Goudelock

From the end of the college season until now, one player has done more than others to not only get his name into the draft conversation, but to have teams all throughout the league trying to get him in for a workout.  That player is Andrew Goudelock, the sharp-shooting guard out of Charleston.  The list of workouts he has been to or has scheduled is huge: Detroit, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, San Antonio, Miami, Atlanta, Houston, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and where I caught up with him – Oklahoma City.  A very talented player (Click Here for a full scouting report) and a very down-to-earth guy, it is easy to see why so many teams are high on him.  Enjoy Andrew in his own words:

Andrew on how he ended up at Charleston:

“I wasn’t heavily recruited at all.  The only two schools who offered me a scholarship were Charleston and Kennesaw State, and then the Kennesaw State spot was gone, so really Charleston was my only option.”

Andrew on playing for legendary coach Bobby Cremins:

“He just knows so much about the game.  Everything he did helped me to become a better player.”

Andrew on how his game has changed since he started college:

“I have definitely become a more well-rounded player.  When I first got to Charleston, I wasn’t that quick, I would just stay outside and shoot jumpers.  I also questioned myself a lot as a player.  Coach Cremins helped me work on the mental part of the game, telling me not to worry and to go out there and just play.  I learned what he was looking for from me as a player and I tried to do just that.”

Andrew on his draft prospects his senior year:

“Even though I was having good seasons, there wasn’t a lot of NBA talk with my name.  I know there were questions about my game – could I do more than just shoot?  I just used that as motivation – a chip on my shoulder.”

Andrew on the Chicago Draft Combine:

“My confidence was definitely on the rise.  I was there with all these guys that everyone knew, but I was becoming more convinced that I was as good as they were and I felt I belonged there with them.”

Andrew on his game’s biggest strengths:

“I think the mental part of the game, helping with team chemistry has become one of my biggest strengths.  I think I bring a good deal of leadership, with the ability to help out my teammates.  Also, I think I am a much better ballhandler than people give me credit for.”

Andrew on what he wants to improve about his game:

“I want to definitely become a better defender, be able to guard both guard positions.  Also, I want to focus on learning how to run the point guard position better.”

Andrew on what he wants teams and fans to know about him:

“I am a competitor, I have a winning mentality.  I think I have the personality, the demeanor, to fit in with any team.  I am a hard worker and I just want to do what is needed to win.  I know I can bring a lot to any organization.”

I want to thank Andrew for his time and I wish him the best of luck as he looks to fulfill his dream of getting to the NBA.  Thank you also to his agent Austin Walton of Walton Sports Management Group for arranging this interview.