Recruiting Report: Andrew Golda (2018)

For most incoming high school senior prospects, welcoming in a new coaching regime could present issues: emphasis on developing younger talent and building an entirely new player-coach relationship in a few short months. But Andrew Golda (2018), a 6’8” center, is the outlier. The new Dublin Jerome Head Coach, Richie Beard, is also his VCC-NOVA coach. Instead of forcing a chemistry with a one-year coach, Golda will play the winter months under a familiar playing style. “My AAU coach just got hired as my high school coach. So the way he runs it, I like it. A fast-paced offense, it fits me pretty well,” Golda said. “I think my last high school coach relied on his guards and didn’t really know how to use a post player like me. But now with Beard, he knows how to use me and what I’m best at.” The mobile big will enter his senior year without an offer, but it seems he’ll likely have many opportunities to prove himself in the new scheme. “I’ve talked with a few Ivy League schools, a few Patriot League schools. And it seems like all the D-III schools in Ohio, I’ve talked with them too,” Golda told Prep Hoops. Specifically, Golda mentioned that he has interest from Ohio Dominican, Holy Cross (MA), and Central Florida. He visited UCF just last week, which took place after Golda sent them an email. “My dad went there. So, we’ve always been big fans of there. So I emailed them and they replied back that they’d love to have me on a visit. One of the assistant coaches down there is really cool,” Golda explained. He later clarified that he has maintained contact with UCF. As a 4.3 GPA student who carries a 24 ACT score, Golda will prioritize academics when it comes time to make a college choice. He also broke down some other factors during the interview. “The academics part, that’s huge. The coaches, the playing style, stuff like that.”

Dublin Jerome 6'8'' PF Andrew Golda c/o 2018. Elite shot blocker, and rebounder. Will be in Pittsburgh this weekend. https://t.co/6XauL83ncu

— VCC-Nova (Beard) (@VCCNOVABEARD) April 25, 2017

Scouts can see Golda in action with VCC-NOVA Beard this weekend in Louisville at the All In Hoopfest. For those unfamiliar with his play, expect to be impressed with what he brings to the defensive end. He’s a mobile prospect who should thrive when defending screens. He also uses those feet, and his length, to contest shots in the paint. “Blocking shots, I think don’t really realize that I block a lot more shots than I think I do. I think I can score a lot better than people think too,” Golda said. It’ll be interesting to see Golda become more reliant as a shot creator during his senior year. He scores a bulk of his points on effort plays. “Most of my points come off the post and getting offensive rebounds. But I’ve been working a lot on starting from the mid-range and driving, and doing different things out of the mid-range,” Golda said. We expect him to continue drawing eyes, and possibly even a scholarship at the Division II or NAIA level, as he continues to show development with his offensive game.