Training Camp Hustle – Vernon Goodridge

The Warriors have had quite a bit of success over the past few years with bringing in players to training camp who eventually play themselves onto the opening day roster.  Matt Barnes, DeMarcus Nelson and Anthony Morrow are all individuals who received an invitation to Warriors training camp and earned a spot on the regular season roster.  Someone who looks to add his name to that list this year is Vernon Goodridge.  Goodridge, the former LaSalle big-man brings something fresh to the team which no other front-court player possesses, explosiveness.  Hands down, Goodridge has the most bounce on the team and provides the Warriors with a unique skill-set as he can run the floor, block shots, provide some low-post scoring and violently throw it down.

As of right not, the Warriors have 14 guaranteed roster spots

Stephen Curry/Jeremy Lin

Monta Ellis/Charlie Bell

Dorell Wright/Reggie Williams/Rodney Carney/Vladimir Radmanovic

David Lee/Brandan Wright/Lou Amundson/Ekpe Udoh

Andris Biedrins/Dan Gadzuric

It leaves room on the roster for one more player and judging by those invited to training camp this year, Goodridge has a legit opportunity to fulfilling his dream of making an NBA roster.  With the departure of Ronny Turiaf and to a lesser degree Anthony Randolph, the Warriors lost most of their shot-blocking and bringing in Goodridge can be a nice boost in that category.

Here is a short highlight video of Vernon from LaSalle, NBA Summer League and some Nike Pro City in NYC.

I caught up with Goodridge’s agent Brian Bass the other night to get direct information on what kind of player Goodridge exactly is.

Describe Vernon’s strengths and weaknesses

Vernon Goodridge is a rare combination of size, speed, skill & athleticism. RBA believes Vernon has the potential to be NBA Defensive Player of the Year in the future. An instinctive shot-blocker & willing help-defender, at 6’10, 240, Vernon patrolled the paint during his tenure at LaSalle – and prior to that as a Sophomore at Mississippi St – averaging over 4.5 blocks (per 40 minute game). Vernon also has great hands & footwork and he runs the floor like a Guard at 6’10. Vernon is a renowned leaper and finishes with tremendous strength. Coming out of high-school in 2005, Vernon was rated the #4 overall prospect at the PF/C position in the U.S., by Scouts.com. Had he gone directly to Georgetown, where he was heavily recruited (and not Mississippi St.), Vernon would have been a top NBA draft pick. It was only because he sat out his final year at LaSalle (the NCAA denied an extra year of eligibility), that he was under the NBA radar (until now). Vernon continues to work on refining the 3 position on offense e.g. stretching his range to NBA 3 and his ability to put the ball on the floor to make plays for others. His speed and athleticism already enable him to guard 3’s on the defensive side of the ball (where necessary on screen roll etc).

What position does he feel most comfortable playing?

4 & 5 positions on both sides of the floor.

How far can he extend his jump-shot? Does he have a low-post game?

Shot is pure up to 15 feet with good rotation. You can talk to Jay Hernandez (Pro Hoops), who helped train Vernon. Very good FT shooter as well. His offensive game has developed significantly overall, with a mid-range, low-post and screen roll game. A high level international scout compared Vernon’s game to Hakeem Olajuwon’s. His jump hook is a serious weapon. You can see some of this on the highlight reel. There is a “Dream Shake” in there at about the 1:30 mark. Bottom line, he has major NBA pedigree – and we just need a team to give him an opportunity to prove it on the court.

How would you describe Vernon’s game? What is something that stands out about him immediately?

Given any meaningful playing time, Vernon Goodridge is ready to make a significant impact in the NBA, hopefully with Golden St. His shot-blocking ability is what stands out immediately. Watch the highlight reel from Summer League and tell me that’s not Ewing circa 1985. Vernon goal-tends a shot or two early in each game just to send a message and make teams uncomfortable. Look what he did to Jeff Adrien on the video during the LaSalle/UCONN game. Look how he dunks on them. During the telecast, Larry Conley was practically jumping out of his seat watching this kid. He covers so much ground and just loves to defend. He tries to block everything. I know you asked for one, but the next thing that jumps out is how he runs the floor at 6’10. It’s scary how athletic this kid is. Watch the highlight from GSW practice. The team is giddy watching him dunk .I hear guys don’t even try to block his dunks any more, because he dunks so hard.

What other teams were you looking at before signing with the Warriors?

Why the decision to accept the warriors invite to camp? Vernon participated in the NY Knicks & NJ Nets Free Agent camps this June and NBA Summer League in Orlando this July, with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was in the mix for a spot in camp with several teams, including the Knicks and Pistons, but we chose Golden St. because they offered first and because we felt that based on the front-court injury situation – and the new emphasis on defense – while maintaining the up-tempo style – fit Vernon’s game perfectly. Hopefully GS recognizes his talents, but if not, there are many teams that now have him high on their radar.