Goodwin chooses paradise

How long would it take for you to respond if offered the opportunity to spend the next two years studying the college subject of choice, in Honolulu, free of charge?

Ask Cañada College's Rohndell Goodwin about just such a proposition -- he would be glad to answer you. He dreamed of just that for some time, worked like the dickens towards his aspiration and now has achieved what just a few years ago seemed an impossible vision. Goodwin didn't let playing very little in high school or travel ball be an insurmountable barrier. Also sidelined twice by ACL tears, he attacked and overcame these physical maladies with countless hours of rehabilitation.

So much so, the 6-foot-5 Goodwin averaged 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game as a sophomore this season alongside 52%, 37% and 80% shooting. His production earned him the honor of Most Valuable Player in the northern California community college basketball ranks.

Now he has a scholarship to attend Chaminade University, a campus very near the south shore of Oahu. "I set a goal to go to Chaminade -- it's a dream come true," Goodwin offered. "I grew up watching the Maui Invitational (which takes place in late November and featured Arizona, San Diego State, BYU, Kansas State and others this past season) and now I get to play on that stage."

Making the choice even sweeter is that Chaminade is a member of the Pacific West Conference, meaning the Silverswords will be hitting the mainland to play such opponents as Dominican University, Notre Dame de Namur, Holy Names University and Academy of Art University. Each pairing will provide family and friends multiple opportunities to see Goodwin play.

Another reason it was Chaminade for Goodwin is because "I'm not a big flashy guy and I liked the small campus. It felt like family [on his visit]." He also shared: "During my visit, I woke up at 9:00 a.m. and took a walk on the beach. There was families all over it." How many recruits have the opportunity to walk on a beach in 80 degree weather during a visit?

So what can Silversword fans expect on the court? "Toughness, competitiveness and being a winner. I'm a great guy on and off the court."

He'll be majoring in communication studies.

Goodwin offered praise to a number of individuals for helping him get to this point: "[Cañada] Coach [Mike] Reynoso, my brother, all my family and friends, they know who they are, and my teammates. We went on this journey together."