(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
The Arizona State men’s basketball roster got thinner after it was reported by ESPN’s Jeff Goodman that senior forward Savon Goodman will transfer after a “mutual decision” was reached between Goodman and ASU head coach Bobby Hurley. He will be immediately eligible to play for his next school as he graduated in December.
Goodman played in 28 games and made six starts this season and averaged 9.6 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds in 21 minutes per game this season. He was second on the team in field goal percentage at 55 percent but last in free-throw percentage at a measly 46 percent.
“We wish Savon the best of luck in his future and appreciate his efforts over the past year,” Hurley said in a statement. “He earned the opportunity to explore his options by earning his degree and the timing of the mutual decision allows us to move forward in recruiting.”
Goodman jumped out to a quality start to his junior season and averaged 12.4 points on 60.9 percent shooting and 7.9 rebounds in ASU’s first nine games, including a 21-point, 16-rebound performance against North Carolina State. That was one of his three double-doubles he recorded in nonconference play.
His season dropped significantly in December when he was suspended for four games for undisclosed violations. He played for the remainder of the Pac-12 schedule but never found his nonconference form, recording just one double-double in the final 18 games of the season.
Goodman transferred to ASU after spending a year at Indian Hills Community College following his dismissal from UNLV after his freshman season. He did not play for Indian Hills in 2013-14.
The Sun Devils now have nine scholarship players signed to the roster although some are skeptical if junior guard Torian Graham will return after being suspended in the middle of the season. Three-star prospect Vitaliy Shibel (Lee Academy, Maine) will become ASU’s 10th player when he signs next month. ASU will likely search for frontcourt depth via a graduate transfer.
You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com
