Prospect Spotlight: Jerome Goosen (2020)

<p>LAWRENCE, Kan. — A multi-talented forward, Andover Central 2020 Jerome Goosen is opening eyes this spring running with NLHA Gaddis’ 17U squad.</p> <p>At 6’5, Goosen was often asked to play inside for his high school team and helped the Jaguars to a Class 5A state championship. But this spring he has shown he can play on the perimeter where he is comfortable handling the ball and can pull it from beyond the arc.</p> <p>“I like the three ball a lot and ill pull it from anywhere,” he says. “(But) I’m also very affective inside as well. Defensively I’m long enough and quick enough to guard the guards but I’m also a decent defender in the post.”</p> <p>Goosen has helped his NLHA team get off to a start this summer and the squad brings back several players who ran with the program last year.</p> <p>“We have a great connection with each other and when it come to playing we always bring a lot of energy,” he says. “Playing with this team had allowed me and my teammates to play freely.”</p> <p>Goosen says the experience has helped him prepare for his upcoming senior year and even beyond.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p>“I get to play outside with this team and guard guards which helps in high school because i play inside there and being able to play around the perimeter allows me open up driving lanes,” he says.</p> <p>Goosen has been putting in time working on refining his perimeter skills, including his ball handling, 3-point shooting and has hit the weight room hard as well.</p> <p>“On my team i need to be able to play the point if needed and I’m a shooter on this team as well so I definitely need to be able to shoot the 3,” Goosen says. “I’m also really skinny compared to others so im trying to get bigger so I’im not always getting pushed around by bigger opponents.”</p> <p>Goosen says his dad has been the biggest influence on his basketball career to date.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p>“He has played pretty much his whole life and still is,” Goosen said. “He’s played over season in many countries and he was an amazing athlete growing up and i want to follow in his footsteps and be like him throughout my basketball career.”</p> <p>A fan of NBA guard Damian Lillard and the Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, Goosen says both players bring attributes to the floor he looks up to.</p> <p>"I like the aggressiveness that Giannis has when he plays and I like the energy that the both of them bring to the game and to their team," he says. "They're both leaders on their team and thas what I want to be on my team. I've watched a lot of highlights of Damian Lillard and I like some of his moves. I like that he doesnt try to be fancy when he dribbles the ball and how he is smooth with it and he keeps it simple."</p> <p>Goosen says he has not yet heard from any college programs but is excited for what his future may hold.</p> <p><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>