Dodson is Doing It

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Darnell Dodson is poised to make noise in Blue Grass Country

August 13, 2009 – Previously headed to the University of Pittsburgh, Darnell Dodson made a big-time basketball detour, heading to Miami-Dade Community College for two years after graduating from high school in 2007. Dodson - who picked Pitt before having to attend Miami-Dade - this year initially indicated Memphis would be his new collegiate home, but followed its then-coach John Caliprari and the staff to Kentucky. Darnell is displaying he’s ready for the SEC this summer.

David and Darnell Dodson after the 2007 Capital Classic All-Star game.

“It was good” said Dodson, a swingman that now stands 6’7” and weighs around 210 pounds, of his time in South Florida; Having spent two years at Miami-Dade yet only playing last year when he averaged around 16 points and seven rebounds, Dodson enters the Blue Grass State’s flagship school as a sophomore athletically.

Florida’s junior college system is highly competitive in hoops – Darnell opined, “It’s the best state for junior college basketball” – and he credits Miami-Dade for providing “a different experience” and “helping me get exposed a lot”.

After re-opening his recruitment, Dodson chose Kentucky over “Kansas State, Memphis, and a few others”. Based on his Kenner League experience, Darnell can play in any collegiate league: One of the best professional/collegiate summer leagues on the East Coast, Kenner, a Washington, DC institution held at Georgetown’s McDonough Arena, offers a high level of ‘bump’, with the likes of the NBA’s Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Mike Beasley and Pops Mensah-Bonsu, along with European league pros such as Brian Chase, Jon Wallace and others participating. College performers from the Big East, ACC, Atlantic 10 and other leagues are on rosters, and Dodson is right at home, not only shooting, but handling the ball, playmaking, and defending.

One memorable matchup pitted Darnell against Mensah-Bonsu, an undersized yet tough, strong, athletic forward for the National Basketball Association’s Toronto Raptors; despite being outweighed by the stronger professional, Dodson battled down low, fighting through elbows and shoulders in the process. On offense, Dodson pulled Pops out to the perimeter, where he shot jumpers and drove to the cup, even ‘crossing over’ the Raptor.

Dodson, far left, made the 2007 Cap Classic's All-Star Team, and could very well do the same in 2009 Kenner League action.

That ability to do many things has been well cultivated and developed by Dodson and is father, David, as during his high school career the pair, along with Eleanor Roosevelt High School’s (MD) then head coach, Glenn Farello, focused on expanding his skill set from simply being a shooter. This summer, Dodson indicated “I’m working on getting stronger” via “weight room stuff” in addition to completing “shooting and dribbling drills”. For Kentucky, Darnell will continue that work as well as consistently concentrating on defense and intensity.

The elder Dodson, himself a longstanding coach on the high school and AAU/travel team levels having worked with both boys and girls, and Farello, a decorated secondary school coach in the DC area, are both known task masters; collectively they coached Darnell hard. Resultantly, he’s not fazed by Caliprari’s reputation for vocal motivation, as he laughed and replied “Yeah, I’m ready for it” when asked if he is prepared for what’s in store in Lexington.

That experience starts August 22nd. The Wildcats are getting an unflappable performer capable of shooting, driving and passing, one that should fit seamlessly into Caliprari’s drive and kick system. He’s a keeper.

Extras:

Dodson on the SEC: "It's a great conference and I'm looking forward to playing in it'.

Dodson on the Pitt guys: "They had a good season last year. I still talk to some of them - I talked to DeJuan (Blair) not too long ago".

Dodson on competitions with his sister, Davida, who plays at Radford: "She's excited for me (attending KY)". Does she still 'rough him off' like she did in their youth? "(laughing) Naw, none of that (laughing)".

On Dodson's triple-double, OT performance in '07