"Relentless Floor General with Swagger and Skill"

Carter Goodwin

@CarterGood58096

IG: @carter.goodwin24

5’8, 150lbs, Class of 2028

Hickman County HS, TN

Carter makes his presence felt from the moment he steps on the floor. Don't let the size fool you; he may be small in stature, but he's electric in impact. He is a true floor general with a scrappy, shifty style that punishes defenses in transition and in the pick-and-roll. At the NYBA Paul Biancardi Camp, Carter showed off his full package: active defense that hounded ballhandlers, a confident shooting stroke from range, and the competitive fire that made him impossible to overlook. He was a lefty sniper who hit shots with flair, but just as importantly, he set the tone with his relentless energy. Every loose ball seemed to find him, and every possession carried his fingerprints.

Carter wasted no time proving himself on the high school stage, averaging 7 points in his first few varsity games as a freshman while helping his squad open the season 4-2. This came on the heels of a big summer, where he helped lead his team to a championship in the first tournament of the season, going 4-0 while averaging 12.5 points per game. His AAU squad also made a run to the Nationals championship game, coming up just short of the title but proving they belonged among the nation’s elite. For Carter, it wasn’t just about the wins, but about showing he could compete with anyone, anywhere, and bring leadership and toughness to every stage.

His growth has come through fire. Last season was defined by adversity, and playing through those challenges taught Carter how to stay calm in uncomfortable situations. He became more aggressive, more assertive, and ready to take control of games. His biggest improvement has been staying aggressive and initiating things on the floor, a skill that now defines how he sets the tone. His focus moving forward is elevating his on-ball defense and adding a more consistent pull-up game, two areas he knows will raise his ceiling even higher.

Any coach watching Carter can expect 100% effort every single time he hits the floor. He takes pride in being the kind of guard who makes everyone around him better. When the team plays with intensity and everyone is clicking, that’s when Carter shines brightest, using his court vision, passing skills, and leadership to impact the game. He describes himself as a scrappy, shifty guard who thrives in the open floor and in the pick-and-roll, staying vocal, engaged, and unselfish.

The most impactful lesson of his young career came from pushing through adversity and learning to stay comfortable in uncomfortable moments. That experience has shaped the way he carries himself today, with composure, confidence, and a focus on never letting the moment rattle him. His mindset remains steady: he keeps his cool, plays his game, and lets the work speak for itself. The best advice he’s received is, Keep working even when you don’t feel like it", and it’s advice that drives his daily habits.

Off the court, Carter enjoys spending time with friends and embracing his personal interests. He has a genuine love for cars and fashion, passions that give him a creative outlet away from the game. Just as basketball fuels his competitive spirit, those hobbies reflect the personality and individuality that make him stand out beyond the hardwood.

I assess that Carter’s ability to blend scoring with playmaking, while competing with relentless toughness, makes him a guard that coaches can trust to run their team. His shooting keeps defenses honest, his quickness and scrappiness disrupt opponents, and his leadership ensures the game always flows through him. He’s a playmaker who impacts both ends of the floor.

Carter is already proving to be a difference-maker. He’s not just stepping into varsity minutes, but bringing energy, swagger, and IQ that elevate his entire team. His AAU Nationals run showed he can compete on the biggest stages, and his sights are now set on chasing a state championship. Expect his growth to accelerate as he continues to evolve his middy and on-ball defense. With his competitive fire, vocal leadership, and love for the game, Carter Goodwin is establishing a spot as one of Tennessee’s most exciting young guards to watch. Stay tuned for a breakout season ahead.