Here is an aerticle from last fall that I thought fans might like to read. It was written by Mike Pegram, the head of Peegs.com, the Indiana University Rivals fan site. He knows what is happening at Indiana, and he reports that Kelvin Sampson took a long look at Dodie at Vincennes JC.
It also says some other nice things about Dodie, his skills, his basketball IQ, and his work ethic. It also reprots that he was 6'3", 195 pounds last fall.
October 9, 2007
Vincennes guard gets IU look
Mike Pegram
Peegs.com & Inside Indiana
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Likely down an expected guard signing due to the Bud Mackey saga, it should be of little surprise that some new guard names are popping up on the Hoosier recruiting scene. This weekend the Hoosier staff scouted one just down the road. Former Iowa State guard
Dodie Dunson has surfaced at Vincennes University where he seems poised to become one of the most sought after junior college players in the country.
Last year at Iowa State, Dunson played in all 31 games for the Cyclones, averaging 5.2 points and 1.5 rebounds. He had a career high 19 points at Missouri, was second on the team in three-pointers (30) and led the team in free throw percentage (81.6%).
Dunson is originally out of Bloomington, Illinois. As a high school senior there he averaged 16 points, five assists and three steals a game for a team that went 24-4. Dunson was a full qualifier out of high school and signed with Illinois State. He ended up getting a release from that letter and made a one year stop at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire and impressed enough there to sign with Iowa State over offers from Minnesota and Tulsa. At Brewster he averaged 17.2 points, 4.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game for a team that went 20-9 against the nation's best prep school competition.
Vincennes University head coach Everick Sullivan spoke to us last night about his starting guard.
"Just a great all around kid both on and off the floor," said Sullivan. "You can't say enough about his work ethic. Great player and it is rare that you get a great player and a great kid and we are happy that he is here."
Dodie's father Dodie, Sr. is a former player himself who coaches the Team Illinois AAU basketball team. That could be one reason that Dunson has most often been described as a lead or point guard.
"He is a point guard in the natural sense but he can play the off guard position," said Sullivan. "I run a three guard offense and any one of the guards can handle the ball and must be able to shoot and score. He is very physical and extremely athletic. High basketball IQ but his toughness and aggressiveness is what stands out. He can defend anybody and has the ability go over people and get a rebound inside."
The Vincennes coach indicates that Dunson is currently measuring in about 6-foot-3 and 195-pounds. He also reiterated that Dunson is really more of a true point guard and not in a transition to that role from the two guard spot.
"As we looked at him in the offseason he was really a facilitator and a glue guy that does all the things necessary to make sure the five out there are playing together," said Sullivan.
Vincennes hosted their annual October Jamboree this past weekend.
"He played extremely well," said Sullivan. "With out team being so talented a majority of our points come in transition or we try to get that done with good defense and that is where he becomes extremely important to us."
At this point the coach does not anticipate Dunson will sign in November.
"More than likely he is going to wait and then in the spring take some visits," said Sullivan. "He has had a lot of schools look at him but I don't want to start anything by throwing out names."
Sullivan did confirm that the Hoosiers are taking a look.
"Indiana was at the Jamboree," said Sullivan. "I believe it was Coach (Jeff) Meyer."
This may not have been the Hoosiers first look at Dunson.
"There was a showcase up in Indianapolis and they may have been up there, I am not sure," said Sullivan. "I know that he played out in Tulsa in that Mullins event (late July) and Indiana was out there."
Vincennes has a roster with some familiar names on it. Former Franklin Central guard Devin Dumes had some big moments last year as a freshman for Eastern Michigan before his return back to the Hoosier state.
"Devin will be a one year guy for us as well and he had a very good summer for us," said Sullivan. "He, Dodie and Rashad Reed who played almost every minute for us last year---that is like a three headed monster for us. They all get along great. Dodie is probably the most verbal but they are all unselfish with good chemistry."
Then there is big 6-foot-9, 290-pound
Aaron Pogue from Dayton Dunbar. He has been the subject of some past Indiana recruiting interest. He was a member of the Spiece Indy Heat summer team that featured Greg Oden, Eric Gordon, Mike Conley and company.
"He (pogue) really played well yesterday," said Sullivan. "That is a kid that if he gets a clue is a big time player. He is in that transition from high school to college but I think he really has a chance. I think he is figuring 'hey, let me start working here.'"
The coach indicate he believes they have Pogue for two seasons but there could be some pending paperwork that could make him Division One eligible earlier than that.
While the coach said he was unaware of any upcoming visit plans to Indiana for Dunson or his teammates, it looks like all will get the chance to see the Hoosier campus soon.
"We have plans on taking our whole team over there (Bloomington) and watching them work out," said Sullivan.