The road for Jordan Goodwin from the G-League to NBA wasn’t a straight-forward path. However, now that Goodwin has landed a multi-year contract with the Wizards, the journey was worth it.
“Jordan has worked extremely hard during his time with us and that has paid off both for him and for our team with this opportunity,” said Wizards President and General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “He is a great example of our development program as well as the importance and impact of having the Go-Go as part of our organization.”
Goodwin has appeared in 40 games (four starts) with the Wizards on a two-way contract this season, averaging 6.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game.
The second-year guard from Saint Louis has notched at least two steals in 10 games this season, including a five-steal effort on December 9 and six-steal game on December 10, becoming the first Wizard player to record back-to-back games with five-plus steals since Larry Hughes in 2005.
Goodwin netted a career-high 19 points with his five steals, four rebounds and three assists in 34 minutes from off the bench on December 9 at Indiana.
Earlier this season, Monte Morris commented on Goodwin’s progression based on his own experience of transitioning to the NBA from a two-way contract: “I started off on a two-way [contract]. I’m just happy for him because I know how I started my NBA career. Just his hunger out there on both ends. It makes me happy to see as a brother. I stay on him. I stay in his ear. His hard work is paying off.”
Although Goodwin is excited about his permanent role, he admits that there are some adjustments. One of the biggest changes has been the time he has to spend away from his young son who was born in May.
Goodwin was signed to a two-way contract with Washington after spending the 2021-22 season with the Capital City Go-Go and participating in 2022 training camp with the Wizards.
He played in 46 games for the Go-Go last season, averaging 16.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. He earned a call-up with the Wizards in December 2021, appearing in two games.
Goodwin led the Go-Go in scoring and set the franchise mark with 94 steals on the season, good for the fourth-most in the NBA G League. Goodwin played in four games with the Go-Go this season, averaging 19.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.