When Dusty May took over the Michigan men’s basketball program, many assumed the Wolverines’ new head coach would pursue transfer options at Florida Atlantic. And although May didn’t get quantity (he picked up only one owl in the portal), he certainly got quality.
By adding an elite 7-foot-1 big man in Vlad Goldin via the transfer portal, May brought a key piece to the Wolverines. After an impressive season in which he averaged 15.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game on 67.3 percent shooting from the field, Goldin could provide Michigan with an immediate boost. However, Goldin brings more than just his skills to the court. He also brings understanding and appreciation for May’s system. In fact, May and the system he has orchestrated are a good reason why Goldin chose the Wolverines.
“First of all, it’s a great program, it was always attractive because it’s Michigan, it probably has one of the best athletic histories for any NCAA team,” Goldin told the Defend The Block Podcast. “And the second reason is the coaching staff. “I prefer a relationship to anything else, so it was a big deal for me.”
Goldin’s relationship with May goes far beyond the simple player-coach relationship. To Goldin, May is like family.
Moving on from Russia to play college basketball meant Goldin had to make some major sacrifices. That is, he spent five years separated from his family at home. In the time since Goldin has developed a basketball family. He may not have blood relatives that he can turn to day in and day out here, but in May he has someone he considers family to him anyway.
“It’s hard to say how impactful (May) was on my entire career, but he gave me a family,” Goldin said. “I haven’t seen my family in five years, but he’s probably one of the people who gave me a family, who made me feel at home, and it’s amazing.”
That feeling of home started with the Owls, but it comes from the relationship he has with May, and that makes Michigan the right place for him. That makes the Wolverines “home” for him.
Beyond his natural abilities, Goldin’s prowess on the court comes from the confidence he has developed in himself. And although he didn’t fully trust himself, May did.
“At some point, I didn’t play the best game, we probably lost because of me, because I didn’t block the opposing team’s player and I just wanted to talk to (May),” Goldin said. “…And she just assured me that I have to trust. He told me: “I trust you more than you trust yourself, and as long as you trust yourself the way I trust you, that’s when you will start to make an even bigger impact than you do now.” . And since then I believe in myself more.”
For May, building relationships this offseason is key. By taking over a program and rebuilding the roster from the ground up, the relationships May forms help players trust him and the system he is building. That relationship is already solidified between May and Goldin; the fact that Goldin is in Michigan is proof of that.
Keynote USA
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