TKR Breakdowns: Demetri "Meech" Goodson

For the second in our series of player breakdowns, The Kennel Report is taking a look at Demetri "Meech" Goodson. Meech is a Point Guard from Houston, Texas, where he attended Klein Collins high school. He is the 79th ranked player in the class of 2008 according to Scouts Inc. His brother, Mike, plays for the football team at Texas A&M.

Strengths: In Meech, Gonzaga is getting a true point guard. One of Meech's greatest strengths is his court vision. With all the weapons that GU will have over the next couple of years, it is vital that the point guard puts everyone in a position to score and make plays. In our interview with Meech and his coach, it was said that Meech is able to make everyone around him better. It is vital, that a point guard can dominate the game without having to score, and this seems to be the case with Meech. Toughness is another attribute of his game that will be important over the 4 years Meech is at Gonzaga. Prior to committing to Gonzaga, Meech had scholarship offers in football from Arizona State, and many other schools, even though he had not played the sport for a couple of years. Because of his football background, Meech will not shy away from contact, and will provide a toughness that is not always on display at GU. Lastly, I think that all fans should be prepared to see one of the quickest players they will ever see. Meech has been timed in the 4.4 range in the 40 yard dash, and his coach said that he is the quickest player from free-throw line to free-throw line that he has seen in 17 years of coaching. This will be important if the Zags are going to return to pushing the ball up and down the court like they have in years past. What makes Meech so rare is his great decision making at such a quick pace.

Room for improvement: The main weakness in Meech's game is his shooting. At the high school level, Meech was able to use his quickness to blow by defenders, no matter how far they backed off of him. However, at the D1 level, players will by much quicker and stronger. For Meech to be able to dictate the pace, and be able to get into the lane, he will have to be able to keep the defense honest. If Meech can develop a reliable jumper, he will be incredibly difficult to guard with all the quickness that he possesses. The other issue with Meech is his size. There is no denying that Meech is a strong and tough kid, but he is only 5'10 or 5'11. It will be interesting to see how Meech matches up with taller and stronger guards at the D1 level. Because of his size, it will be very hard for him to guard a player like Jeremy Pargo, who with his strength and height, would be able to dominate in the post. It will only be with the taller guards that size will be an issue for Meech, and hopefully he can make life difficult with his strength and quickness.

Projected Role: I expect Meech to be the primary backup for Pargo at the Point Guard position. This is the perfect role for Meech, as he can bring 15-20 minutes of energy and push the tempo off the bench. This will also allow for him to have a season under his belt to learn the offense, before he inherits the starting Point Guard role his sophomore season. He will also bring a sense of toughness, along with Gibbs, to the program, and I think he will push other guards for playing time. We might also see some times when Meech and Pargo share the back court, allowing Pargo to focus on more of a scoring role.

Summer Workout Plan: Meech will be arriving along with Andy and Grant for the second summer session. After he settles down and unpacks his bags, Meech should be in the gym shooting 100's of jumpers daily. As mentioned earlier, with a reliable jumper, Meech will be very difficult to guard. He should also try and spend as much time as possible picking the mind and watching tape of Pargo. The quicker that he picks up the offense, the bigger impact he can have early on.

In Meech, I believe that GU has the next great point guard, in its long line of great guards. Meech has the quickness and ability to be a great point guard not only at this level, but at the next. With Grant, Meech, and Steven at the guard position for the next 3 years, there is no shortage of versatility and talent. Look for Meech to bring a great sense of toughness, and great energy off the bench throughout the season.

Meech highlights

Interview with Demetri "Meech" Goodson and Klein Collins head coach Tim Schumacher

We are pleased to present to all Kennel Report readers an interview with both Meech Goodson and his head basketball coach Tim Schumacher. The Kennel Report would like to thank the both of them for taking time out of their day to do a fantastic interview with us.

The Kennel Report: This question is for both Coach and Meech- What do you feel it is that sets Meech apart from other Point Guards? What does Meech do on the court that makes him such a unique and great player?

Meech: I try to get my teammates involved in the game and do whatever it takes to help my team be successful.

Coach Schumacher: Meech is a winner!!! He won 114 games during his high school career. He plays the game at the highest level. His pace of play and decision making are second to none. He has the ability to make everyone around him better on the floor. He shows great toughness as well.

TKR: This question is for both Coach and Meech- What aspect of his game do you think Meech needs to improve on to excel and become a great Point Guard at the next level?

Meech: I can always get better in the game of basketball. I have worked hard to improve my perimeter shooting and I am constantly trying to get better in all aspects of the game.

Coach: He needs to improve his perimeter jump shot. He has worked very hard and is looking forward to continuing his maturation process as a player.

TKR: This question is for Meech- What other schools were recruiting your prior to your visit and commitment to Gonzaga?

Meech: Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Clemson, and Kentucky

TKR: This question is for Meech- You committed to Gonzaga almost immediately after your visit. What was it about your visit to GU that made you so sure it was the school for you?

Meech: It is the best fit for me. The size of the school, players and coaches, and success of the program were all great fits. I want to go to a place where we can win and I can improve as a player. Gonzaga has a great history of developing point guards.

TKR: This question is for Coach Schumacher- Texas is known for producing some of the best high school basketball talent in the nation every year. How would you compare Meech to some of the great Point Guard talents that have emerged from the state? What player would you most compare his game to?

Coach Schumacher: He is as good of a pure point guard as I have seen during my 17 years of coaching (5 years in college and 12 in high school). His basketball IQ is outstanding. I liken him to TJ Ford- a former Houston point guard. He has the ability to control a game without scoring a point. Meech will do whatever it takes to win.

TKR: This question is for Meech- With your brother playing football at Texas A&M, was there a lot of pressure from friends and family to attend A&M, or at least stay in the state of Texas.

Meech: My family really wanted me to go to school with my brother; but, I decided that GU was the best place for me and they supported my decision.

TKR: This question is for Coach- I don't know how familiar you are with Gonzaga and the style of play, but do you feel that Meech will be a good fit for the up and town tempo, and the flex offense that GU runs.

Coach Schumacher: The GU style of play is a huge part in Meech's decision. Coach Few and staff have done an outstanding job and have created an environment that Meech is very excited to be a part of at Gonzaga. Meech is as quick with the ball in his hands from FT (free throw) line to FT line as anyone I have ever seen. His great decision making at such a quick pace is something that makes him really special. He has been timed as low as 4.36 in the 40 yard dash.

TKR: This question is for Meech- What role are you expecting to have as a freshman? What are your expectations not only for yourself, but for the team during your freshman season?

Meech: Work hard and try to make the team better. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to help the team win.

TKR: This question is for both Coach and Meech- Is there anything you can tell the GU fans about Meech and who he is off the court, and what he is like away from basketball?

Meech: I work hard and I hate to lose

Coach Schumacher: Meech is an outstanding kid. He is a great teammate. He always has a smile on his face. In our high school of 3200 students, Meech was voted Homecoming King this year.