By Kristopher Sarikas |Staff Writer|
Brian Goins, a 23-year-old junior guard for the men’s basketball team here at CSUSB has been playing basketball for the past 17 years.
Growing up in the bay area Goins explained how basketball has always been a part of his life.
“I have been playing basketball since I was six years old,” said Goins. “I always used to play at the park with my brothers.”
In a 2011 interview with Kevin McCarthy from NorCalPreps.com, Goins shared his past hardships and obstacles he has had to overcome.
At the age of 16, Goins dropped out of school and became homeless after his mother, a long time member of the military moved to Alabama. Among worrying about essential needs such as shelter and food, Goins always found time for basketball.
“Basketball was my outlet,” said Goins during the interview with McCarthy. “When I would play, it would feel so good, so natural. There where no negatives, just me having fun.”
One day Goins found himself playing a pick up game with former Diablo Valley College players who were impressed with Goins’ talent. These former Diablo Valley College alumni recommended that he enroll and play for the Diablos and referred him to head coach Steve Coccimiglio according to McCarthy.
Around May 2010 Goins enrolled full time at Diablo Valley College and played for the basketball team. The cost to attend school was covered due to Goins’ family’s background with the military according to McCarthy.
During his time at Diablo College, Goins was the second player in school history to obtain two all-state honors. In the 2010-2011 season, Goins averaged an impressive 30.8 points per game.
Goins joined the Coyotes at CSUSB this 2012-2013 season as a junior guard and has been averaging 15.1 points per game with a 40.5 field goal percentage and a 38.3 three-point percentage.
Recently Goins had one of his best games of the season against the San Francisco State Gators where he had a game high of 23 points leading the Coyotes to victory.
When I sat down with Goins , I wanted to know why he plays the game, in other words, what motivates him to play.
“I love the competitiveness of the game,” said Goins. “Everybody gets after it, and it makes you play your best.”
Goins role model for continuing his passion for basketball was James Davis, a local from the bay area who played college basketball and is now an author.
In the future he plans to continue to play basketball at the professional level and has already been offered to play professionally overseas.
“I’ve already had a few offers to play for teams in the Philippines,” said Goins.
However, he has respectfully turned down these offers from Spain and South Korea in order to continue playing at the college level.
Furthermore, he explained that he is preparing for an upcoming NBA tryout; there is definitely a bright future ahead of him.
Follow Goins and the rest of the Coyote pack this weekend as the Coyotes take on the Pomona Broncos and the Humboldt State Jacks.
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