Capel Signs Preseason Juco All-American Robert Goff
Power forward expected to have an immediate impact starting in fall 2011.
Nov. 15, 2010
NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma head men's basketball coach Jeff Capel announced today the signing of preseason junior college All-American Robert Goff to a national letter of intent.
Goff, a 6-9, 230-pound sophomore who attends Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, originally hails from Indianapolis, Ind. He played at Cowley County (Kan.) Community College as a freshman in 2008-09 before transferring to Hutchinson and sitting out the 2009-10 season. At Cowley, Goff averaged 9.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots per game while shooting .612 from the field for head coach Steve Eck, who's now the head coach at Hutchinson.
Capel said Goff is a player he targeted long ago on the recruiting trail.
"Robert's a perfect fit," said Capel. "We identified him very early as someone we really wanted, and we're fortunate that he's a Sooner.
"He's a tremendous athlete and will provide size for us, which we need. Plus, he's older and will come in and contribute right away. I think he can be an anchor for our defense with his ability to clog up the lane and block shots. Offensively, he has skill. He can also really run the floor. The thing I'm excited about is he's a great kid. He has a strong desire to grow as a basketball player and as a young man."
During a press conference today in Hutchinson, Goff said, "I was close to coach Capel and I felt I connected more with Oklahoma. They like to get up and down the floor and that's what I like to do. I want to go and get a lot of rebounds and block a lot of shots."
Junior college recruiting analyst Jerry Mullen of Mullen's Roundball Review said he expects Goff to help OU right away next season.
"Oklahoma is getting a really long, athletic power forward who runs like a deer and is very active on the glass," said Mullen. "He can score inside and also out to about 15 feet. He can score with his back to the basket but also has the ability to score facing it. He plays in a very good (junior college) program and should make an immediate impact in the Big 12 because he's very, very athletic. He should be a good player for them."
Goff, who plays on a Hutchinson team that was ranked No. 4 in the preseason National Junior College Athletic Association poll, was named a preseason All-American by The Sporting News.
