College Hoops Video

Kentucky Signee Darnell Dodson

Many Kentucky Wildcats fans are still unfamiliar with who exactly Darnell Dodson is, and how he has come to be a Kentucky Wildcat. Well, Dodson originally signed with Pitt out of high school in the class of 2007, but then was informed by the NCAA that he was not academically eligible to play for Pitt. He then left and enrolled at Miami Dade Junior College so he could come back to Pitt in 2009. Then, he was informed that the Big East has a rule that prohibits non-qualifying players out of high school who have enrolled at a conference school from re-enrolling at any Big East school after attending a two year junior college. Pitt then released Darnell Dodson from his LOI so he could join Coach Cal at Memphis. Dodson then shifted his commitment to Kentucky when Coach Cal moved north which was likely influenced by now, Kentucky assistant coach, Orlando Antigua who originally helped recruit Dodson for Pitt.  Ok, complex enough for you? Now for Darnell Dodson’s basketball pedigree…

2009 Kentucky Wildcat Recruit- Darnell Dodson

Darnell Dodson is originally from Greenbelt, MD. Last season at Miami Dade Community College, he helped lead their basketball team to a Southern Conference championship and a 26-2 regular season record while playing the small forward position. Dodson who is 6′7″ averaged 15.7 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per contest. In high school, Dodson average 29.1 points per game his senior year and 18.0 points a game his junior year on his way to being ranked the 34^th best overall player in the 2007 recruiting class. During his high school career, Dodson scored a school record 1,262 points.

Darnell Dodson’s Skill-Set

Darnell Dodson is a slashing, quick and athletic player. He brings NBA size at 6′7″ and 215 lbs and can finish plays around the rim in traffic. Unlike other slashing players, Dodson also has a great three point shot with range extending out to 22 feet. In his year of junior college, Dodson has bulked up from when he left high school and is considered a great fit for Coach Calipari’s dribble-drive offense. He will have three years of eligibility remaining at Kentucky, but if he continues to progress under Coach Cal will likely turn pro before his final season at Kentucky.

Refs:

http://www.kentuckyink.com/index.php/free-basketball-recruiting/1114-dodson-the-newest-cat, http://www.kentucky.com/609/story/773620.html, http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=44971, http://kentucky.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?sport=2&pr_key=78305, http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=72369&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fplayer%3frecruitId%3d72369, http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07297/827978-175.stm,