photo by: Kim North

Linsly’s D’arrae Goodwin, center, is flanked by mis mother, April Schrump, left, and father, Durran Goodwin. D’arrae signed his NCAA National Letter of Intent Wednesday to attend the University of San Diego on a basketball scholarship.

WHEELING – Basketball has taken Wheeling’s D’arrae Goodwin to a lot of places during his AAU career. Now it’s taking him to San Diego.

The 6-6 Linsly senior announced his intentions to attend the University of San Diego on a basketball scholarship on Wednesday. Goodwin signed his NCAA National Letter of Intent in the lobby of Banes Hall surrounded by family members, friends, teammates and classmates.

“First and foremost, it’s a great opportunity. It’s a great place. I really trust Coach Lav (Steve Lavin) and what he’s got going on,” Goodwin said. “AAU ball has allowed me to see the world and see all the amazing players out there.”

When asked what other colleges or universities he looked at or looked at him, Goodwin was open with his answer.

“It doesn’t really matter now. I’ve found my home and that’s all that matters to me,” he stressed. “None of this would be possible without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s an amazing opportunity.

“My experience at Linsly has been invaluable, not only preparing me to be a good basketball player, but preparing me as a man for the rest of my life.”

As for what he will have to work on to play at the D-I level, he replied, “Everything. For me, I’m always trying to improve every aspect of my game. Perfecting my craft is something that is really important to me. I’ll play any position. Wherever they need me, I’ll play it.

He talked about his relationship with his head coach at Linsly.

“He’s like another father to me,” Goodwin said of Dave Wojcik. “He has not only helped me grow on the basketball court, but he has helped me grow as a man off the court.”

Goodwin was a double-double machine for the Cadets.

“I’m just really happy for D’arrae. He wanted to go play college basketball at the highest level and now he has an opportunity to do just that,” Wojcik said.

“He’s now going to go play for, in my mind, a Hall of Fame coach in Steve Lavin.

“It’s a great day for D’arrae. He deserves it because he has worked hard. It’s fun to see this happen for him.”

Wojcik said it’s a shot in the arm for his Linsly program.

“If kids are serious about basketball and want to play at the next level, I feel pretty confident that we can help make those dreams come true here at Linsly. It’s a special day for our program, as it is for him.”

The Toreros are members of the West Coast Conference and play their home games inside the 5,100-seat Jenny Craig Pavilion.

Head coach Steve Lavin has been at San Diego for three seasons. He was an assistant coach at Purdue and UCLA before taking the reins of the Bruins from 1996-2003. He also served as the head coach at St. John University from 2010-15.

Goodwin is the son of April Schrump and Durran Goodwin.