State's top basketball player Quentin Goodin commits to Xavier

Quentin Goodin, the top-rated basketball recruit in the state, announced his commitment to Xavier on Sunday.

"Thanks to everybody who recruited me, Thank God for all the blessings and opportunities," Goodin, a point guard at Taylor County, tweeted about an hour after news broke of his commitment.

Goodin chose the Musketeers over Western Kentucky, Florida, Miami (Fla.) and Michigan.

The four-star recruit is ranked as Kentucky's top class of 2016 prospect by all of the major recruiting services. His highest national ranking is at No. 71 by Rivals.com.

Goodin averaged 21.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.5 steals last season for the Cardinals, who reached the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1983.

The trip to Xavier was Goodin's first official visit to any school. His father, Chris Goodin, described every aspect of the program — from the athletics director to the team managers — as "awesome."

"They spent a lot of time recruiting him and they made him a priority," Chris Goodin said. "They need him. They've got a spot for him where he's got an opportunity to come in and be an impact player as a freshman."

Chris Goodin noted Xavier's style of play as being a great fit for his son, a player who thrives in transition and at getting to the rim.

He said Quentin will feel right at home in the Musketeers' pick-and-roll sets. He has "no doubts whatsoever" about what Xavier Coach Chris Mack will do with his son.

Taylor County Coach Rich Gatewood said he'd texted back and forth with Quentin Goodin all weekend checking in on how the visit was going.

"I guess it went really well," Gatewood said, chuckling.

Gatewood said he couldn't be more proud of Goodin.

"You see a lot of kids who shoot 25 shots to score 25 points," he said. "He's let me coach him hard, which a lot of people will not do."

Xavier's proximity to home and its status as a Big East school were big factors for Goodin, Gatewood said. Chris Goodin and Gatewood both stressed that the school's academic standing was as valued as its basketball acumen.

"(His) mom is big on academics," Gatewood said.

Chris Goodin said Quentin's worked on his jump shot this offseason. In his last summer tournament the senior-to-be shot 42 percent from behind the arc.

Gatewood knew Quentin wanted to get his recruiting business out of the way ahead of what could be a big senior season at Taylor County.

"That's why he's so special," Gatewood said. "Not only does he want to focus on winning Mr. Basketball, he wants to win a state championship."

This story was originally published August 2, 2015 at 1:42 PM with the headline "State's top basketball player Quentin Goodin commits to Xavier."