Catching Up with Fantasia Goodwin
8/29/2011 1:33:03 PM | Women's Basketball
In her freshman and sophomore year at Monroe College in the Bronx, Fantasia Goodwin had recorded 1,681 points across two seasons. She had also secured the NJCAA Division III career scoring record, the record for points in a season (867) and the record for scoring average (28.1). After those two years at Monroe, Goodwin received a special offer that would give her the opportunity to play Division I basketball at Syracuse University. Goodwin took the offer.
In her junior year at Syracuse University, she finished the season averaging 12 points per game, leading the team with a recorded 40 3-point field goals, ranking second on the team in rebounding (6.8) and ranking third on the team with 35 steals and 31 assists. Goodwin had also started 28 games for the Orange, playing in every game but one. Two months after missing the last game of the season, Goodwin gave birth to a baby girl. Despite the birth of her healthy daughter on April 26, 2007, Goodwin still returned to the court for her senior year, setting a school record 25 rebounds in just the fourth game of the season against St. Peter's. Goodwin finished her senior year ranked third on the team with 12.3 points and 8.8 rebounds, even making the BIG EAST weekly honor roll three times.
After SU, Goodwin went overseas to play basketball in Saarlouis, Germany, where she averaged 20.8 points and 8 rebounds.
“We never won a championship in the history of the team, so when I came, I was the lead scorer and we won our first championship there, which was cool,” Goodwin said.
Despite a successful season in Germany though, Goodwin had another important decision to make.
“The season ended and I had an opportunity to go back, but I didn't want to go back because I wanted to focus more on being a mom,” Goodwin said.
With that decision, she returned home and began working at Graham Windham, the group home where she grew up.
“And now I have a little family, my significant other, and a stepson,” Goodwin said, who describes loving every minute of life with her family.
Two years into work at Graham Windham though, Goodwin reconnected with coach Quentin Hillsman, who had another offer for her.
“He told me, come finish your degree man. So I said alright, I took the sacrifice and came out here, and I am here, and I'm happy to be here,” Goodwin said.
Goodwin, who is already looking to the future, received her degree in Communications and Rhetorical Studies.
“I want to be a coach, maybe coach a junior college or high school team,” Goodwin said.
If coaching does not work out though, Goodwin's backup plan includes working with disabled adults. “I really have a passion for helping people in need. People who have no control over their body or their mind.”
