DUNK CITY, Fla. – FGCU men's basketball guard Brandon Goodwin has withdrawn his name from the 2017 NBA Draft and will return to the Eagles for his redshirt senior season in 2017-18.
 
Goodwin announced his intention to declare for the draft last month, but not hire an agent, allowing him to maintain his amateurism as he went through the recent evaluation process. He was able to attend workouts scheduled by NBA teams and get feedback from professional scouts and evaluators on what he needed to improve in his game to play at the professional level.
 
"Going through the process the last month has been very beneficial for me," said Goodwin. "Playing in the NBA has always been my dream. Thankfully I was able to utilize the new system in place and learn what I needed to improve to help me get to the professional level. I'm excited about returning to FGCU for my senior year, and hopefully bringing another ASUN title back to The Nest and making an NCAA Tournament run."
 
In January of 2016, NCAA officials adopted a proposal that, among other provisions, changed the date by which a student-athlete must remove his name from the NBA Draft without forfeiting his amateurism (that date is today, May 24, by 11:59 p.m.). The intention of the change was to provide student-athletes the chance to make more fully-informed decisions of returning to school or preparing themselves for a potential basketball career.
 
"We're obviously excited and looking forward to having Brandon back with us for his senior season," added head coach Joe Dooley. "The feedback he received on what he needed to improve in his game without losing his amateurism is exactly why this system was put in place. Brandon is an extremely talented player, and he has the potential to take his game to an even higher level next year."
 
A UCF transfer, Goodwin made his first season in an FGCU uniform one to remember as he set the program's single-season scoring record with 629 points – the only player to ever eclipse the 600-point mark. The 6-2 point guard led FGCU in scoring (18.5) and assists (4.1), and finished 3rd in rebounding (4.5).
 
The 18.5 point-per-game average shattered the program's previous Division-I single-season record of 17.1 by Marc-Eddy Norelia in 2015-16, while Goodwin's 136 made free throws also eclipsed Norelia's D-I single-season program record of 129 set last year.
 
Goodwin was the unanimous ASUN Newcomer of the Year, was named ASUN Newcomer of the Week a record six times (previous record: 4) and on Feb. 20 he became the first player in league history to be named both ASUN Player of the Week and ASUN Newcomer of the Week. Additionally, he was just the fourth player in program history to be named to the NABC District 3 First Team.
 
The Norcross, Ga., native was tabbed as the ASUN Tournament MVP after averaging 20 points over three FGCU wins, and continued his brilliant play into the NCAA Tournament with game bests of 28 points and seven assists in the 14th-seeded Eagles' narrow 86-80 loss to 3rd-seeded Florida State in the First Round.
 
Goodwin hit three game-winning shots on the year: a floater in the paint at Louisiana Tech with 12 seconds remaining, all three free throws with .6 of a second left at Stetson and a baseline 3-pointer with 34 seconds showing at North Florida. The Norcross High School product scored a season-high 29 points on two occasions, and tallied 28 two other times – including an FGCU ASUN Championship record in the semifinals versus Kennesaw State.
 
FGCU is coming off a record-setting 26-8 season in 2016-17, claiming a second-straight ASUN Tournament title and advancing to play its sixth NCAA Tournament game in the last five years. The Eagles return nearly 80 percent of their points, roughly 65 percent of their rebounds and more than 80 percent of their assists next year.
 
Season-ticket reservations for the highly-anticipated 2017-18 campaign are being accepted by contacting a representative from the Alico Arena Ticket Office by calling 239-590-7145 or visiting during normal business hours. Priority will be given to current season-ticket holders and Eagles Club members based on giving levels. Those who are not Eagles Club members may contact Matt Ring at 239-590-7107 or mring@fgcu.edu for more information.
 
Those wishing to secure season tickets for the first time may get on the 2017-18 season ticket priority list now by making a non-refundable $100 deposit per seat. The priority list will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please inform a ticket office representative to be placed on the priority list.
 
SOCIAL CENTRAL
For up-to-the-minute information and behind-the-scenes access to the men's basketball program, follow @FGCU_MBB on Twitter and Instagram, Like us on Facebook at /FGCUMBB and watch us on Snapchat at FGCU_MBB.
 
COACH DOOLEY 
FGCU is led by head coach Joe Dooley, who completed his 4th season with the Eagles in 2016-17 and has coached eight all-conference selections in that time. He has led FGCU to 20+ win seasons and postseason appearances in all four years: 2013 NIT; 2014 CIT; 2015 NCAA; 2016 NCAA. Dooley was named the 2017 ASUN Coach of the Year and the 2017 NABC District 3 Coach of the Year after leading the Eagles to a D-I program record 26 wins. In eight seasons overall as a head coach, Dooley has a record of 148-98 (.602), and in his four years with FGCU is 91-46 (.664). Prior to arriving in SWFL, Dooley spent 10 seasons as an assistant at Kansas under head coach Bill Self. During those 10 seasons, Kansas produced 300 wins, nine-straight Big 12 regular-season titles, six Big 12 Tournament championships, six NCAA Sweet 16s, five NCAA Elite Eight appearances and two Final Fours, including the 2008 National Championship.
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE 
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.