Matthew Goodwin (188-PG-2005) is a 20 year old 188cm point guard currently playing for the London Lions (SLB). He began his basketball career with the Manchester Magic playing for their U-19 team averaging 16.7ppg, 5.6rpg, APG-3 (6.5), 2.5spg, FGP: 35.1%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 77.8% while also playing 6 BBL games. Last season he moved to the London Lions playing 27 games and averaging 1,0ppg. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against the Niners Chemnitz.

Thanks Matthew for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second season with the London Lions (SLB). What kind of an experience has it been for you? What have you enjoyed most about it?

It has been nothing but a positive experience. I have learnt so much and improved so much at such a rapid rate

I have enjoyed the challenge the most. Playing against older and stronger players is going to be difficult but it has been fun competing against them and I love a challenge

Your playing a Eurocup game against German team Chemnitz. How have you followed German basketball the last years? Is there a German player that has really stood out to you?

I haven’t watched much German basketball if I’m being completely honest. I tend to watch Euroleague and Eurocup the most

The London Lions are having a great season in the SLB. How big is the hunger to win titles with this great organization?

The hunger is always there. The lions has had an incredible history of winning titles and it’s almost our duty as players to keep adding to the silverware

Currently the club is a top the SLB. What has been the secret to the success?

The secret is defense. Always has been and always will be. Our team´s ability to limit shots but also to make shots difficult has made our lives a lot easier on the offensive end. Our defense fuels our offense

What has it been like playing with such talented guards like ex NBA player Chasson Randle and Shaver Reynolds? What have you soaked up most from those 2 on and off the court?

Those 2 and loads others have been amazing role models. They show me loads of details on the floor and help me with my game. But further they show me what it takes to be a professional. Taking care of your body with recovery. Eating the right food. How to be a good husband. They have impacted me on and off the floor

There are many great UK players on the team as well with Williams, Rai and Sandy just to name a few? Which player has had the biggest impact on you?

Tarik Philip is the biggest impact. He shows so much interest into helping me get better and improving my game. He’s honest with me and firm but at the same time caring. He’s been a massive help

What has it been like playing for Tautvydas Sabonas? How has he helped shape you to be the player that you are today?

He’s intense let’s be honest. But that has brought the best out of me. He has made me be more hungry and more aggressive and proved I can do things I never thought I was capable of. He has brought out a side of me I didn’t know I had and it’s such a positive result

Let´s talk about your game. You have had sparse minutes last season and this season. How tough is the battle on a daily basis to get playing time for the Lions?

It’s a constant battle. You have to be almost perfect daily. And the people I´m competing with for minutes are Ex NBA players and some of the best UK talent so it is very difficult but like I said I love a challenge

You’re a 188cm guard that fills the stat sheet well. If you had to compare your game to an NBA or Euroleague player who would best fit the description?

I’d have to say Alex Caruso. Plays his role well. Plays solid defense and makes the right read. Hits an open shot if he has it and if in doubt can go ISO ball with a mismatch

You’re a guard that fills the stats sheet really well. Talk about your offensive game. What are your biggest strengths?

I’d say my biggest strength is shooting from behind the arc. Whether it’s a spot up 3 or a off the dribble 3. I’ve been missing a few in game recently but I know I can make the because I was last season in SLB

Your three pointer is still a work in progress. Talk a little bit about the development of your three pointer. What kind of a shooter are you now and where do you want to be in the next years?

Like I said I’m missing a few as of now. But I hope to become a 40-45% three point shooter. A threat on the catch and shoot and the pull up

Your also an ambitious defender. Talk a little about your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I think I’m a little nuisance. Out there to cause havoc and create a problem for the offense by being physical and disciplined. I want to become a sound defender. I want to be the guy you put out there to stop there best player

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

I want to improve my point guard skills. Reading the game quicker and understanding what to do when in terms of running plays

You began your basketball career with the Manchester Magic (NBL D2) How valuable were these early years for your basketball development? Did you have a mentor there?

Massively important. The foundations of my game were learnt there. I had loads of Coaches in Manchester, each of them providing something. Joe Forber, Sergio Lara Bercial, Will Brown and Peter Pareskeva are to name a few

You made a big jump in your game with the Manchester Magic Academy U19 team (U19 League) averaging 16.7ppg, 5.6rpg, APG-3 (6.5), 2.5spg, FGP: 35.1%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 77.8% in your last year. How did your game grow there?

It grew quickly. Teams were quick to learn that I could score so they adapted rapidly to forcing the ball out of my hands with a double team or Box and 1 defense. So it made me learn how to deal with such defense. But also gave me confidence to be more aggressive

You got your first BBL experience with the Magic. What do you remember from your first game in the BBL?

Technically my first BBL game was against Cheshire Phoenix with Manchester Magic in a Pre season match up. I hit a corner 3 and the crowd went wild!! I was only 16 so they were all happy to see me succeed

Last season you were teammates with experienced TU Holloway. What memories will you always have learning from a veteran like him? What could you soak up most from his game?

He is a veteran! He understands the game so well and has mastered his craft. His ability to get a bucket is like nothing I’ve ever seen. He taught me so much about how to use my body to create space and how to read defense quicker and better

You also have played for the UK U-18 and U-20 national teams. How is the state of British basketball at the moment? What young players are to watch in the next few years?

British basketball in my eyes is on the mend and will be getting much better soon

What is your biggest goal as a player? Is the Euroleague a realistic goal for you or do you have another big goal?

I think having an unrealistic goal is the entire point. So if you do reach your goal, you have reached a level no one thought you could. And if you fail you’ll end up higher than those who set a fixed goal. My goal is always Euroleague/NBA and always will be. Will I get there? I’m not sure but I’m putting in the work daily in order to get there

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in your life on the court that reached the NBA or Euroleague?

I’d have to say Ray Mcallum. He practiced with us for a little bit last season while he was in London. And he was such a creative and smart player and was always able to manipulate you to get what he wants

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

In no particular order. And this is in terms of teammates who are nice people and how they treated me

Ryan Mikesell

Sean Flood

Evan Walshe

Tarik Philip

Joel Scott

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of UK and NBA players?

UK

Luol Deng. Dan Clarke. Gabe Olaseni. Quin Ellis

NBA

LeBron James. Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant. Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Who is your GOAT?

LeBron James

Favourite player thouh is Mike James

Thanks Matthew for the chat.