Vladislav Goldin Bio
Vladislav Goldin is a Russian professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays under a two-way contract that also assigns him to the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League. Standing 7 feet tall and weighing around 113 kilograms, Goldin plays the center position and emerged as one of the most productive big men in college basketball before turning professional in 2025.
Before reaching the NBA, Goldin played college basketball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the Florida Atlantic Owls, and the Michigan Wolverines. Across his collegiate career, he earned all-conference honors three times and finished as one of the most decorated transfer players in recent NCAA history. He went undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft before signing his two-way deal with the Heat.
Early Life and Background
Vladislav Goldin was born on 12 May 2001 in Nalchik, the capital of the Kabardino-Balkaria republic in Russia. He later moved with his family to Voronezh, the city where he spent most of his childhood and early athletic development. Growing up in a sporting household, Goldin was a competitive wrestler until the age of fifteen, an experience that helped shape his balance, footwork, and physical toughness.
After a significant growth spurt in his mid-teens, Goldin transitioned from wrestling to basketball and joined the junior program of PBC CSKA. He spent three seasons developing within the prestigious CSKA youth system, one of the most respected basketball pipelines in Europe. In his final season with CSKA Junior, he averaged 8.3 points, five rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, numbers that began to attract attention from international scouts.
Seeking a stronger path toward collegiate and professional basketball, Goldin moved to the United States and enrolled at Putnam Science Academy in Putnam, Connecticut. There he refined his skills as a traditional back-to-the-basket center and earned a four-star recruit rating. His performance at Putnam Science convinced him to commit to Texas Tech, launching his NCAA career.
Path to Basketball
Goldin’s journey to high-level basketball was unconventional. Beginning as a wrestler in Voronezh, he only picked up the sport seriously after a late growth spurt made him a natural fit for the center position. The CSKA Junior program gave him daily access to elite coaching and competition, and his steady production there paved the way for his move to the United States.
At Putnam Science Academy, he faced older competition and faster play than he had experienced in Russia. Adapting quickly, he established himself as a dominant interior presence and attracted scholarship offers from multiple NCAA programs. His commitment to Texas Tech marked his entry into the highest level of American amateur basketball and set the stage for a multi-school college career.
Vladislav Goldin Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Goldin began his college career at Texas Tech during the 2020–21 season. He played in ten games as a freshman and averaged 1.9 points and one rebound per contest, learning behind more experienced frontcourt players. Following that season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal in search of a larger role.
In 2021, Goldin transferred to Florida Atlantic University. As a sophomore, he averaged 6.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, showing flashes of the scoring and rim protection that would later define him. His steady development at FAU laid the groundwork for a breakthrough junior year.
FAU Breakthrough (2022–2024)
During his second season at Florida Atlantic, Goldin emerged as a reliable interior scorer and was named third-team All-Conference USA. He averaged 10.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocked shots per game. He then played a key role in FAU’s historic run to the 2023 NCAA Final Four, scoring 14 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the Owls’ 79–76 Elite Eight win over Kansas State.
In his third season with the Owls, Goldin raised his production further, averaging 15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. He led FAU back to the NCAA tournament and, following the program’s move to the American Athletic Conference, was named second-team All-AAC. After the season, he again entered the transfer portal, this time following his head coach to a new opportunity.
Michigan Era (2024–2025)
On April 29, 2024, Goldin withdrew from the NBA draft process and transferred to the University of Michigan to reunite with former FAU head coach Dusty May. He quickly earned the starting center role and became the offensive focal point of the Wolverines. On December 3, 2024, he posted 24 points, five rebounds, and three blocks against Wisconsin, signaling his arrival as a Big Ten force.
He recorded his first double-double of the season on December 7 against Iowa with 20 points and 11 rebounds, earning Big Ten Player of the Week honors on December 9. He continued his surge on December 18 against Oklahoma with a then career-high 26 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. His performances against ranked opponents established him as one of the most efficient centers in the country.
On January 7, 2025, Goldin exploded for a career-high 36 points and seven rebounds against UCLA. He became the first NCAA Division I player in 25 years to average more than 25 points while shooting at least 70 percent from the field across a four-game span versus ranked foes. He later added a 31-point, eight-rebound, four-block effort against Northwestern and a 20-point, career-high 15-rebound double-double against Maryland.
He finished the year as a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, given to the nation’s top center, and was named first-team All-Big Ten by the media. He was also named Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Big Ten tournament after leading Michigan to a conference championship. In the 2025 NCAA tournament, he recorded 23 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks against Texas A&M to help Michigan reach the Sweet Sixteen.
Miami Heat Era (2025–Present)
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, Goldin signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat on June 26, 2025. In the 2025 NBA Summer League, he averaged 9.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per game, capping the run with an 18-point, 10-rebound, four-block finale that included a game-winning basket with 11 seconds left in a 93–92 victory.
On the eve of the Skyforce’s G League season opener, Goldin was called up to the Heat roster in response to an injury to Bam Adebayo. In his G League debut on November 21 against the Wisconsin Herd, he posted 23 points and nine rebounds, making 10 of 13 field goals including both three-point attempts. He made his NBA debut on December 19, 2025, playing the final 55 seconds against the Boston Celtics and tallying one assist.
Driving Style and Strengths
Goldin’s game is built around interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. He excels in the paint with efficient post moves and soft finishing around the rim. His wrestling background gives him excellent balance and lower-body strength, while his length and timing make him a reliable shot blocker. He complements his inside game with an emerging mid-range jumper and the willingness to step out and knock down three-point shots when defenses extend.
Notable Events and Milestones
Goldin’s signature NCAA moment came with his 36-point performance against UCLA, the highest scoring game by a Wolverine in nearly two decades. He also helped lead FAU to the 2023 NCAA Final Four and Michigan to the 2025 Big Ten tournament championship, where he earned MVP honors. His call-up to the Heat roster in November 2025 marked his transition from prospect to professional contributor.
Vladislav Goldin Career Wins
Across his college career, Vladislav Goldin collected three all-conference selections and earned Big Ten Player of the Week recognition twice. He also won the 2025 Big Ten tournament Most Valuable Player award while leading Michigan to a conference title.
NCAA Highlights
Goldin’s most memorable NCAA win came during the 2023 NCAA tournament, when he helped Florida Atlantic defeat Kansas State in the Elite Eight to reach the Final Four. He later added a key double-double performance in the 2025 NCAA tournament against Texas A&M, guiding Michigan to the Sweet Sixteen.
Summer League and G League Performances
In the 2025 NBA Summer League, Goldin delivered a clutch game-winning performance to close out his stint. In his G League debut with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, he produced 23 points and nine rebounds on highly efficient shooting, immediately establishing himself as an interior force.
Vladislav Goldin Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Public information about Goldin’s immediate family remains limited. He grew up in Voronezh after being born in Nalchik and developed his athletic foundation in Russia before moving to the United States for high school. His wrestling-to-basketball transition reflects a family environment that supported multiple sports.
Personal Life
Goldin keeps his personal life largely private. He relocated to the United States as a teenager to pursue basketball and has since balanced his professional commitments between Miami and the Sioux Falls Skyforce. There is no publicly verified information about a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year defined Goldin’s rise. He began the year starring for the Michigan Wolverines, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors and Big Ten tournament MVP while leading his team to a conference championship. He then went undrafted in June but quickly secured a two-way contract with the Miami Heat.
His Summer League play with the Heat showcased his scoring touch and shot-blocking instincts, and his G League debut in November reinforced his efficiency. By mid-December, he had logged his first NBA minutes against the Boston Celtics, capping a transitional year that moved him from collegiate star to professional rotation player.
Looking ahead, Goldin is positioned to compete for a longer NBA role as the Heat navigate injury absences and roster changes. His two-way deal keeps him affiliated with both Miami and Sioux Falls, allowing the organization to develop him at the appropriate level. Continued improvement in perimeter shooting and defensive consistency will shape his trajectory as he works toward a standard NBA contract.