Jordan Goodwin Bio
Jordan Goodwin is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as a shooting guard and point guard for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on October 23, 1998, in Centreville, Illinois, Goodwin played college basketball for the Saint Louis Billikens from 2017 to 2021 before entering the NBA as an undrafted player in 2021. Throughout his professional career, Goodwin has demonstrated versatility on both ends of the floor, establishing himself as a capable playmaker and tenacious defender. His journey from a standout college player to a reliable NBA rotation player reflects his persistence and skill development across multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
Goodwin grew up in Belleville, Illinois, where he attended Althoff Catholic High School. During his junior year at Althoff, he delivered an exceptional performance, averaging 19 points, nine rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while leading his team to a remarkable 32-2 record and the Class 3A state championship. His outstanding play earned him the Belleville News-Democrat Class 3A-4A Player of the Year award in consecutive seasons. On January 24, 2017, Goodwin scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a victory over Mount Vernon High School, surpassing Kevin Lisch as Althoff’s all-time leading scorer. He played for the St. Louis Eagles on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit and found success competing in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.
Beyond basketball, Goodwin was a talented football player at Althoff, competing as a tight end and wide receiver. He helped his team achieve a Class 4A runner-up finish during his sophomore season and received scholarship offers from college football programs at Iowa and New Mexico. As a basketball recruit, Goodwin was rated as a consensus four-star prospect and attracted attention from major programs including Alabama, Butler, Creighton, Illinois, Missouri, and Northwestern before ultimately choosing to continue his career at Saint Louis University.
Path to Professional Basketball
Goodwin joined the Saint Louis Billikens in 2017 and made an immediate impact during his freshman season, averaging 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and four assists per game. He recorded the first triple-double in Saint Louis history on January 13, 2018, contributing 13 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win over Duquesne. During his sophomore year, he averaged 10.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while recording 66 steals, ranking fifth in program history for a single season. Goodwin assumed a more prominent role as a junior, embracing a player-coach mentality while leading all NCAA Division I guards with 15 double-doubles. He became the only Division I player under 6 feet 3 inches tall to rank in the top 100 nationally in rebounding.
Goodwin earned First-team All-Atlantic 10 honors and Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team recognition in both his junior and senior seasons. He led all Atlantic 10 players in steals during his senior year, breaking Saint Louis’s career steals record. His college career concluded with averages of 14.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and two steals per game during his final season. Goodwin initially declared for the 2020 NBA draft before withdrawing his name and returning for his senior year, demonstrating his commitment to developing his craft before pursuing a professional career.
Jordan Goodwin Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Goodwin joined the Washington Wizards for the NBA Summer League, showcasing his abilities against other aspiring professionals. On September 21, 2021, he signed with the Wizards but was waived less than a month later during final roster cuts. Goodwin subsequently joined the Capital City Go-Go, Washington’s G League affiliate, where he averaged 15.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while continuing to develop his skills. On December 27, 2021, the Wizards signed him to a 10-day contract, providing an opportunity to return to the NBA level. He appeared in two games with the Wizards that December before returning to the Go-Go.
Goodwin impressed during the 2022 offseason, earning an invitation to Wizards training camp. His performance during camp led the organization to convert his deal to a two-way contract on October 15, 2022, reflecting the progress he had made. On February 24, 2023, the Wizards rewarded his contributions by signing him to a multi-year contract, a significant milestone for the undrafted player who had spent time in the G League just a year earlier.
Phoenix Suns (2023–2024)
On June 24, 2023, Goodwin’s career took a notable turn when the Wizards traded him to the Phoenix Suns as part of a blockbuster deal that sent Bradley Beal to Washington. The trade package included four first-round pick swaps, six second-round picks, Landry Shamet, and Chris Paul, underscoring the value Goodwin had demonstrated. His time with the Suns proved brief, as he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets on February 8, 2024, in a three-team transaction involving the Memphis Grizzlies. The Nets waived him the following day, making him available for other opportunities.
Memphis Grizzlies (2024)
Goodwin signed with the Memphis Grizzlies on February 13, 2024, initially on a 10-day contract. His performances during that short period earned him a two-way contract on February 24, 2024, allowing him to split time between the NBA roster and the Memphis Hustle, the organization’s G League affiliate. The opportunity in Memphis provided valuable minutes and development time for a player still establishing himself in the league.
Los Angeles Lakers (2024–2025)
On September 6, 2024, Goodwin signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, joining one of the NBA’s most prominent franchises. The Lakers waived him on October 18 during final roster reductions, leading him to join the South Bay Lakers, their G League team. He signed a two-way contract with Los Angeles on February 7, 2025, after averaging strong numbers with South Bay. Goodwin appeared in 29 games with the Lakers that season, recording 13 starts while averaging 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. The Lakers waived him on July 20, 2025.
Second Stint with Phoenix Suns (2025–Present)
On July 24, 2025, the Phoenix Suns claimed Goodwin off waivers, bringing him back to the organization he had briefly played for in 2023 and 2024. This second opportunity with Phoenix allowed Goodwin to reestablish himself within a familiar system. On January 4, 2026, he delivered a career-defining performance, scoring a career-high 26 points on a career-high eight three-pointers made in a narrow 108-105 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. During the 2025-26 season, Goodwin appeared in 70 games with 10 starts, averaging 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting efficiently from the field.
Driving Style and Strengths
Goodwin has established himself as a versatile guard capable of playing both point guard and shooting guard positions. His court vision and passing ability enable him to create opportunities for teammates while maintaining composure in transition situations. On the defensive end, Goodwin’s instincts and anticipation skills make him an effective perimeter defender capable of generating steals and disrupting opposing offenses. His basketball IQ allows him to make smart decisions with the ball, while his competitive nature drives his persistence in pursuing loose balls and competing for rebounds despite his guard position.
Notable Events and Milestones
The milestone moment of Goodwin’s career came on January 4, 2026, when he posted his career-high 26 points against a strong Oklahoma City Thunder team. That performance demonstrated his ability to score efficiently from beyond the arc, knocking down eight three-pointers in a high-pressure situation. His career path from undrafted free agent to valued rotation player with multiple organizations reflects his ability to adapt and contribute in various roles. The multi-year contract he earned from the Washington Wizards in February 2023 served as validation for his development and dedication to improving his game.
Jordan Goodwin Career Wins
Goodwin has accumulated meaningful accomplishments throughout his basketball career at both the collegiate and professional levels. His college career at Saint Louis featured numerous highlights, while his professional journey has seen him contribute across multiple NBA organizations.
Saint Louis Billikens Highlights
Goodwin’s college career was marked by consistent excellence and record-setting performances. His triple-double against Duquesne in January 2018 stood as the first in Saint Louis history, showcasing his all-around capabilities. He earned Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team honors in both 2020 and 2021, recognition that highlighted his impact on the defensive end of the floor. His First-team All-Atlantic 10 selections in those same years reflected his complete performance as a two-way player who contributed meaningfully on both ends. Goodwin finished his Saint Louis career as the program’s all-time leader in steals.
NBA Career Highlights
During the 2025-26 season with Phoenix, Goodwin appeared in 70 games with 10 starts, averaging 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. His career-high 26-point performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 4, 2026, represented the peak of his professional career. His development trajectory shows a player who has steadily improved his scoring ability while maintaining his defensive identity.
Jordan Goodwin Family
Family Background
Public information regarding Goodwin’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or extended family connections to basketball, is not extensively documented in available sources. He grew up in Centreville, Illinois, and attended Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, Illinois, where his basketball achievements placed him among the school’s all-time leading scorers.
Personal Life
Goodwin continues to pursue his professional basketball career, currently playing for the Phoenix Suns. His athletic background includes not only basketball but also football, having received scholarship offers at that position during his high school years. He remains active in the NBA as a developing player seeking to establish himself as a consistent contributor at the professional level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transitions and growth for Goodwin. After beginning the season with the Los Angeles Lakers organization, he found his way back to the Phoenix Suns via the waiver wire in July 2025. His return to Phoenix provided stability and an opportunity to contribute to a competitive roster. The highlight of his season came early in 2026 when he scored a career-high 26 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder, demonstrating his improved scoring ability from the perimeter by hitting eight three-pointers. Goodwin appeared in 70 games with 10 starts for Phoenix, posting averages of 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while demonstrating the defensive instincts and versatility that have defined his career.