Recruiting Report: Amari Goulbourne (2017)
2017 G Amari Goulbourne is entering his fourth year as a starter at highly successful Tampa Prep. The Terrapins fell just short of a Class 3A state title after losing to Windermere Prep 73-70 in the region final this past…
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Continue Reading2017 G Amari Goulbourne is entering his fourth year as a starter at highly successful Tampa Prep.
The Terrapins fell just short of a Class 3A state title after losing to Windermere Prep 73-70 in the region final this past season. Tampa Prep went 19-11 overall, but Goulbourne says he felt like his team had a slow start to the year.
“We had guys on the team that never played together so we needed time to gel. I learned a lot from the older guys. They taught me that hard work really pays off. Tyson [Ward] and Juwan [Durham] both worked really hard on the court and off the court to gain scholarships to great colleges.”
Goulbourne is looking forward to being a true floor general this season. He averaged 7.6 points, 5.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game as a junior.
“I’m learning to be a proficient guard on both sides of the ball. As far as stats go, I know if I do what I am trained to do the stats will come. I want to play the game in a rhythm and not force the issue unless I need to.”
How would the 5’10”, 170-pounder break down his own game?
“I’m a scorer when needed but I’m developing myself to become a scorer at all times. I’m not going to be selfish when it comes to shot selections. I’m in the process of becoming a more consistent mid-range and 3-point shooter.”
Goulbourne played AAU ball for coach Willie Anderson and the Q6 All-Stars Elite.
“Playing for Coach Anderson was a learning experience because he would teach the game from a college coach’s perspective. We would have early morning practices. During practice, if any mistakes were made we would have to run as a team. We also would have two practices a day that included weight lifting workouts. He really taught me how to push through even when I was tired. He always talks to me about being a high IQ point guard.”
He calls training for him something that is a legitimate day job.
“I am attending two weight lifting workouts with athletic trainer Sherman Armstrong and about 3 to 4
basketball workouts with my trainers: Chris Ward, JC Smith and Shawn Faust. They continue to make me go 100 percent in the workouts at all times and tell me I’m not training for my high school season but that I’m training to play at the next level.”
Goulbourne currently has interest from two Division-II programs West Florida and Salem International.
He may not have that first offer yet, but that doesn’t mean this kid isn’t a hard worker. I’ve seen him play plenty of the years as both a freshman and this past season where he showed that he really stepped up his game.
With another year to further his game and overall knowledge, I expect Goulbourne to make big strides and come up with some offers in due time. He would be a very nice fit at a Division-II program.
Photo credit: Varsity Views