New Zealand is not renowned as a birthplace for major basketball stars, by Oscar Goodman is in track to change that particular narrative.
Goodman has already proven himself on the international stage, receiving plenty of plaudits for his performances in major tournaments.
He has won awards and earned accolades at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup and secured a spot at the prestigious NBA Global Academy.
Goodman is on a journey that could culminate with a spot in the NBA, but he still has work to do if he is to fulfil his dream of playing at the top level.
Goodman is Making Waves
Goodman grew up in his homeland of New Zealand, where rugby is the most popular sport, but chose a different path by venturing into basketball and proved to be an early bloomer.
He initially popped up on the radar in the Oceania region after captaining his Under-15 team to a silver medal at the 2022 FIBA U15 Oceania Championship.
His performance earned him a place at the NBA Global Academy in Australia, which is a training ground renowned for churning out NBA-ready talents.
Unfazed by the runner-up medal, Goodman upped the ante two years later at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Istanbul, delivering what was perhaps his most eye-catching performance yet.
He averaged 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, which was enough to claim a spot in the tournament’s All-Star Five.
Besides his exceptional numbers, Goodman also passed the eye test, showcasing a blend of unique skill sets and versatility that blew away scouts from around the world.
Goodman’s combination of size, mobility and basketball IQ makes him a match-up problem for opponents at both ends of the court.
Michigan May Be the Perfect Fit
Goodman’s decision to commit to Michigan Wolverines was not taken lightly. With offers from prominent programs such as Texas Tech, Georgetown and Ohio State, he had plenty of options.
He was not a ranked prospect when he first joined, but he has subsequently become the No. 76 recruit overall in the 2025 class.
“I chose Michigan because of Coach [Dusty] May and his winning past and belief in me coming in and contributing to the team straight away,” Goodman said.
“Michigan had all the resources and opportunities I was looking for to help me in the next step of my basketball career.
“Coach May and his staff are building something special, and after talking to some of the players on my visit, they all have the same desire and the want to win, and that culture was something I was looking for.”
Michigan head coach Dusty May has a reputation for maximising the potential of his players, having previously led Florida Atlantic to the Cinderella Final Four in 2023.
Goodman’s decision to link up with May at the Wolverines could be a game-changer for his development and his long-term dream of rocking up to the NBA.
His commitment to Michigan is already causing a stir back home in New Zealand. Basketball is on the rise in the country, with stars such as Steven Adams paving the way for young Kiwis who are dreaming of making it big.
Goodman’s rise up the ranks is garnering interest from the New Zealand betting industry. Several sportsbooks have ramped up their coverage of NCAA basketball games this season.
Numerous new bookmakers in NZ have also jumped on the bandwagon, and their interest will increase if Goodman makes it all the way to the NBA.
The Odds Favour Goodman
The prospect of Goodman making it to the NBA is not far-fetched. Given his current reputation as a 17-year-old, it seems clear that the Kiwi prospect is on the path to stardom.
There are still several areas of his game that need to be fine-tuned, but he has shown that he has what it takes to become the next big thing out of New Zealand.
Competing with the Wolverines in the Big Ten is his level, but only for now. If he continues grabbing the headlines, it won’t be surprising to see NBA scouts cluster around him.
Scouts are always on the lookout for the next big thing in the NBA, especially for players who can slot into multiple positions on the court, and Goodman ticks that box.
