Illinois transfer wing Luke Goode is the newest member of the IU basketball program.
The Daily Hoosier caught up with the 6-foot-7 Goode to discuss his upbringing as an IU fan, his anticipated role with the Hoosiers, and much more.
Goode is a career 38.8% three-point shooter who played a role in a 2022 Illinois Big Ten regular season title, and the 2024 Big Ten Tournament title.
Our full Q&A with the Fort Wayne, Ind. product is below.
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TDH: I noticed in the commitment video you posted, Jordan Hulls handed the ball to you, and it got me thinking, I bet that 2013 Indiana team was pretty significant to you as you were becoming a young fan of the Hoosiers?
GOODE — Yeah, it was. I’ve got a picture of Jordan Hulls from his freshman season, and it was with me and my brother at a game, and I look back on that and it’s kind of like a full-circle moment. Growing up and being an IU fan like that, and being able to have him on the visit and have him recruit me was pretty cool.
(Note: There is something mystical about Indiana kids getting their picture taken with former players)
TDH: Your family has deep IU ties, what has been their reaction over the last week as this all came together?
GOODE — They were super excited. My parents kept talking about how it was a blessing for me to be in this situation. I had an amazing three years at Illinois, and I got everything I wanted to get out of being an undergrad and playing college basketball. And now that I have the opportunity to move on and it does happen to be to Indiana, it’s just something that’s special for the family. My parents have a place down in Bloomington so it’s going to be really nice for them to be able to come down whenever, and my brother being at that school and being able to spend a lot of time with him is something that I’m really looking forward to.
TDH: Most IU fans know your uncle is former IU star quarterback Trent Green. What was his reaction to the news?
GOODE — We have a group chat of like 25 family members, so I told everybody before I made it public, and they were all congratulating me and excited about the end of the journey for me. He reached out and congratulated me for the opportunity and how special the situation is. To have a family that’s so deeply rooted in Indiana connections, for me to come back home is kind of special not only for myself but the whole family.
TDH: Indiana was involved with your recruitment out of high school. Were there any connections or carryover from then to now?
GOODE — It was obviously a different coaching staff. But the only one that who is still there is Coach (Brian) Walsh. He actually recruited me back and was the lead recruiter throughout he transfer portal.
(Note: Goode was in the class of 2021 and committed to Illinois in 2020. Walsh was IU’s director of basketball operations under former head coach Archie Miller).
TDH: In 2022 you played your first game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. I recall you might have shot an air ball but also made a three? What was that game like for you emotionally? Were you nervous?
GOODE — I actually have a story from that game. That was back in my freshman year when my minutes were a little inconsistent as it is for a lot of freshman. But I remember in the first half hitting my first shot, and I was super confident after that. But I was on the bench because Jacob Grandison was in the game and he wouldn’t shoot. Kofi (Cockburn) would catch the ball and they (IU) would double-team and he wouldn’t shoot. So I went to our assistant coach and said ‘put me in, I’ve got it, I’ll make the shot.’ And that’s when I shot the air ball. It was a kick-out three and I shot an air ball.
(Note: Goode was 2-of-5 from three in two games in Bloomington, and he made three 3-pointers in the game vs. Indiana at Champaign in January.)
TDH: What was the messaging from the IU staff about your anticipated role on next year’s team?
GOODE — With the roster construction they don’t really have a backup five right now, and Malik (Reneau) is the only four-man. So they can play small-ball, move Malik to the five, me and Mackenzie (Mgbako) can play together and do a lot of stuff because he’s a good shooter and that’s obviously what I bring.
In terms of development and role, it’s similar to what Miller Kopp did at IU. He went from a traditional standstill shooter at Northwestern, to a more dynamic playmaker on the wing. They (Indiana) showed me a lot of clips of that. So just in terms of style, just expanding my game. Getting a defensive rebound and bringing it up the court. And coming off of ball screens or pin-downs and staggers, and just becoming more dynamic in my offensive game, kind of like Kopp took that step when he was at Indiana.
TDH: Did you have conversations about a starting role, or is that all just to be determined when everyone gets on campus?
GOODE — That’s stuff I really don’t ask about. My mentality is, it is earned. If I deserve to be in a position to start, then I’ll start. And if not, then they think that I’ll be even more impactful off the bench, or I just wasn’t good enough. That’s been my approach the whole time I’ve been in college. Wherever the coaches put me, that’s where I need to be the most effective, and that’s where I’m going to be the most effective and that’s where I’m going to shine in my role.
TDH: Does Oumar Ballo remind you at all of Kofi Cockburn?
GOODE — Yeah 100 percent. They’re both dominant post guys. He’s the closest thing I’ve seen to Kofi. They played against each other my freshman year. I’m excited to get back to playing with a guy like that, because a lot of inside-out actions will get me open shots.
TDH: You missed a significant part of your sophomore year with an injury. I’m curious if you’ve assessed whether you’ll have an opportunity to play a fifth season of college basketball?
GOODE — They (IU) actually brought that up to me on my visit. I went into that year knowing that I potentially wouldn’t get it back, but the staff did bring it up that I could potentially get a fifth year. That’s 100 percent something that I would look forward to.
TDH: I know you’re close with Caleb Furst and Fletcher Loyer at Purdue. Have you spoken with them about now being on this side of the Indiana and Purdue rivalry?
GOODE — Yeah they were actually cool about it. They offered congratulations and were excited for me. Illinois is a rival to both of those schools in a way, there’s a lot of basketball history there and those games have always been a little bit more competitive when I’ve played against them. But I’m sure now, it’s just pure hatred between the (IU and Purdue) fan bases so it’s going to mean even a little bit more.
TDH: What should fans know about the friendships like you have with Furst and Loyer and other guys?
GOODE — People don’t realize there’s a basketball community, especially if you’re going to play at a higher level, you have a familiarity with people in your class and in the same state. I know Fletch and Caleb, and I talk to them throughout the season. Fletch in particular, we talk a little bit of trash before the game, but it’s all in good fun. It’s competitive at the end of the day, but when you’re not playing them you’re cheering for them. I want nothing but the best for the guys that I’m friends with until we play them.
(Note: Goode was a high school teammate of Loyer and AAU teammate of Furst. All three are from Fort Wayne, Ind.)
TDH: If the Big Ten schedules an Indiana game at Illinois this season, what’s that going to be like for you?
GOODE — Hopefully it will be great. I have no problems with Illinois. The coaching staff has been nothing but great to me and my family. I think everybody assumes the worst with the transfer portal. But my situation, truthfully, was I graduated from the school and it was just me looking for another opportunity. And that’s all it is. I’ll never say anything bad about Illinois. I had great opportunities there and a great time there. Two championships and an Elite Eight. So I’ve done a lot, and most important I got my degree. It wasn’t a falling out or anything bad behind it. It was just me looking for a new opportunity. So hopefully the (Illinois) fans understand that and I have a pretty good reception if we play there, but even if not, it doesn’t change my perception of the school, and coaching staff and what they’ve done for me.
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