Aleah Goodman
Aleah Goodman directs traffic at the 2016 ELITE is EARNED Spring Invitataional competing with her Cal Stars EYBL team. *Photo by Chris Hansen.
Fresh off the program’s first Final Four appearance, the Oregon State Beavers landed their first commitment in the 2017 class with the verbal from Aleah Goodman. The 5-foot-9 combo guard from Happy Valley, Ore., chose the Beavers over finalists Arizona and Washington.
“I chose Oregon State because of my connection with the coaches and players,” Goodman said. “I know that in going to OSU I will be pushed both academically and athletically and it's close to my family and friends.”
Aleah Goodman has competed against top competition on
the club circuit as well as events like the Check Me Out
Showcase. Goodman, who is ranked No. 63 in the ProspectsNation.com ELITE 100 heading into the summer, is one of the most versatile guards out west. She shoots the ball well from long range but has the vision and passing skills to run the team from the point, attributes that should help fill the shoes of All Pac-12 senior point guard Sydney Wiese.
“I think OSU got the steal of the 2017 class in Aleah Goodman,” Kelly Sopak, her Cal Stars EYBL club team coach, said. “She is an elite level lead guard and will fit right into coach Rueck's system.”
Goodman has had big shoes to fill already this year, joining the Cal Stars and running the point after the graduation of Sabrina Ionescu. She’s a smart player who has really spent time building her strength, which is paying dividends for her thus far.
Adding guard depth is important for Oregon State in 2017 as the Beavers signed a pair of wings and a pair of forwards in 2016. Adding Goodman to 2015 signees Katie McWilliams and Taylor Kalmer along with Mikayla Pivec and Kat Tudor in 2016 gives Rueck plenty of options, which fits in with the style of play. The Beavers played eight players double-figure minutes last season.
Chris Hansen is managing editor of ProspectsNation.com and serves on the McDonald’s All-American and Naismith Trophy selection committees. He was the national director of scouting for ESPN HoopGurlz from 2005 until 2012 and is the director of the Check Me Out Showcase. He can be reached at chris@prospectsnation.com.
