On November 11, 2020, Illinois basketball officially inked the signature of 2021 wing, Luke Goode.
Goode, the Fort Wayne, Indiana native, will bring the Illini a perimeter threat off the catch and two-way versatility at 6-foot-7 and 200 pounds.
Let’s dive deeper into Goode’s game…
Strengths
- Smooth, fluid, quick shot release on spot-ups
- Strong base on threes and mid-range jumpers
- Highly intelligent off-ball mover on cuts, fades and curls
- Advanced feel for the game and length offensively bodes well for his development as a wing creator
- Self-creation flashes
Weaknesses
- Numbers do not necessarily validate the skillset
- Tweener defensively
- Finishing against size
- Ability to consistently separate against athleticism
Overall
Goode is an incredibly intriguing prospect with a prominent athletic lineage and unprecedented skillset for a Brad Underwood Illini roster. He has a very strong build and promising touch but primarily projects as a role player rather than a centerpiece.
Offensively, Goode’s combination of size, feel for the game and touch from the mid-range and beyond the arc make him appear as an NBA prospect down the line. His ability to shoot on spot-ups is increasingly impressive from a high school junior’s tape.
There is no secret to why Goode’s AAU film with Spiece Indy Heat is more impressive than at Homestead, and that should provide promise to Illini Nation.
Goode thrives in space and when his teammates can draw defenders. His ability to attack closeouts due to his perimeter threat and high feel for the game continues to improve. I would not label Goode as a pure shooter, because I think there is a lot more to his game than standing behind the arc.
Once Goode’s shot becomes more consistent (hovers around 36.5-percent in the last two years from three), his secondary playmaking ability and mid-range pull-up will see an increase in volume.
Goode is an intelligent cutter off of screens and has advanced footwork on curls & fades. He struggled to separate at times with heightened attention at Homestead, so developing a wider offensive package in terms of self-creation and tightening his handle would give the Illini a unique, versatile wing creator.
The shooting stroke and high feel for the game are extremely strong points to build off of in terms of development as a high-level role player, but work with Coach Adam Fletcher and the development of Andre Curbelo & Adam Miller will be the hinge points of Goode’s early Illini career.
Defensively, Goode still has work to do. He showed strong signs of switch-ability in stints due to his length, but I also struggle to feel extremely confident rolling him out against any certain position in the Big Ten.
Smaller quicker guards might beat him with quicker feet and more physically developed wings might bully him around. Yet, Coach Brad Underwood has done a good job of developing more narrow defenders into prominent two-way pieces in the past.
Goode’s length and instincts should result in a solid steal rate. My main concern is competing athletically. Coach Fletcher has done a magical job thus far with many other players I had the same concerns with, which makes me far less hesitant on Goode as an overall prospect.
Goode is a competitor and while his potential as a wing scorer offensively is untapped, the Illini staff covets defensive pieces, and developing on that end will be his key to playing time.
Playing under Austin Hutcherson and Jacob Grandison in their senior campaigns will be a vital learning process for Goode, in addition, watching the two transfer wings will give a better glimpse at how Coach Underwood uses a lanky wing with shooting flair.
Outlook
I have a difficult time finding a current or past Illini comparison for Goode, but I do think his game is reminiscent of former Maryland Terrapin and current Atlanta Hawk, Kevin Huerter. Forget their hair color similarities and look at Huerter’s measurements and high school tape in comparison to Goode’s. Huerter arrived in College Park at 6-foot-6 and 175 pounds.
Huerter was a three-level scorer who took over games night in and night out but now has developed into an incredibly impressive secondary playmaker next to Trae Young due to his high feel for the game and consistency from the perimeter which requires aggressive closeouts.
I see a similar trajectory for Goode, although it is hard to project similar development to Huerter as he took off in his sophomore year en route to being a top 20 pick in 2018.
Curbelo projects to be a long-term college lead guard, and his skillset fits next to Goode’s to a T. Curbelo’s ability to apply pressure to a defense and force opponents to collapse opens up a ton of space on the wings.
Miller might be under contract in the NBA by the time that Goode sees major minutes, but his defensive prowess and motor would be a huge benefit to Goode defensively on the wing.
Goode is a fantastic first piece to the 2021 recruiting class for Coach Underwood, but I would emphasize the word “first”. He can not be counted on as a centerpiece to build around, and the Illini must continue to prioritize creative guards like TyTy Washington and another defensive wing in order to enhance Goode’s long-term fit.