UNCW to retire John Goldsberry’s jersey Saturday

WILMINGTON, NC (UNCW) — UNCW men’s basketball career assist leader John Goldsberry’s ball-hawking, all-out hustle style of play has landed him the ultimate honor – his No. 3 jersey will hang soon in the rafters of Trask Coliseum.

Goldsberry, a gritty point guard who personified physical and mental toughness on the hardwood, will become the fourth Seahawk men’s hoops standout to have his jersey retired when the school stages a special ceremony during halftime of the UNCW-William & Mary game on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015.

The Vandalia, Ohio, native joins Brett Blizzard, Bill Mayew and Brian Rowsom as Seahawk basketball immortals.

“My family and I are really excited and appreciative of this honor,” said Goldsberry. “While I was at UNCW, I was lucky to have a lot of people, both at the school and in the community, who put me in a position to be successful. I was also fortunate to have coaches and teammates who were like family, and who cared about winning and were dedicated to the process.”

Goldsberry, 31, recently returned to the United States following a spectacular professional career with the German League’s Brose Baskets in Bamberg. Goldsberry emerged as a star overseas after leading Brose Baskets to championships in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. He also sparked the team to German Cup crowns in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Goldsberry’s finale with Brose Baskets came last year in 2013-14 and the club retired his No. 5 jersey in a special ceremony at the conclusion of the season.

The 6-3, 180-pound floor general played four years for the Seahawks from 2003-06 and guided the team to a pair of CAA championships and NCAA appearances in 2003 and 2006. He started 121 games, collecting 1,104 points, 405 rebounds, 530 assists and 228 steals. In addition to his perch atop the assist chart, he is tied for seventh on the all-time scoring list and ranks second all-time in steals.

The playmaker made a big splash in his first season, earning CAA All-Rookie honors and setting the NCAA Tournament record with 8-of-8 three-pointers en route to 26 points in UNCW’s narrow loss to Maryland.

“During my time at UNCW, we took a lot of pride in being the smartest and toughest team in the CAA,” said Clemson Head Coach Brad Brownell, Goldsberry’s coach at UNCW. “John exemplified those qualities every time he played He was an outstanding student and leader who got the most out of his ability, and was a shining example to everyone in our program.”

Goldsberry was a three-time member of the CAA’s All-Defensive Team and was selected as the CAA’s Defensive Player-of-the-Year in 2005. He was also named MVP of the 2005 Black Coaches Association Invitational in Laramie, Wyo.

Goldsberry’s honors didn’t stop on the basketball court. He was a three-time member of the CAA’s All-Academic Team, received UNCW’s Thomas V. Moseley Award in 2005 and earned the CAA’s prestigious Dean Ehlers Leadership Award in 2006. He was also selected the CAA’s Men’s Basketball Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year in 2006.

Goldsberry’s reputation as a student-athlete remains intact. In 2010, he was recognized as one of the top 25 players in the history of CAA basketball during the league’s Silver Anniversary celebration.

“We’re very pleased to recognize John for his contributions to our men’s basketball program, and know this will truly be a special night that Seahawk fans everywhere will not forget,” said Jimmy Bass, UNCW’s athletic director. “John was not only an outstanding basketball player, but he was an excellent student and representative of UNCW as well. He is still known around the conference as one of the toughest competitors to ever play in the CAA.”

The soft-spoken Goldsberry graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance in 2006. He and his wife, the former Lindsay Gleason of Charlotte, N.C., are the parents of a son and daughter, Jackson and Kennedy.

UNCW’s Jersey Retirement Ceremonies

Brian Rowsom, Feb. 21, 1990
Bill Mayew, Jan. 17, 1998
Brett Blizzard, Feb. 2, 2005
John Goldsberry, Feb. 7, 2015 (Scheduled date)