Wiz of Awes
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Meet The Washington Wizards First Pre-Draft Invitees

By Ryan Eugene

Mar 18, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) drives around defender Purdue Boilermakers guard Carsen Edwards (3) during the first half of the game in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) drives around defender Purdue Boilermakers guard Carsen Edwards (3) during the first half of the game in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; William & Mary Tribe guard Daniel Dixon (0) dribbles against Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the first half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; William & Mary Tribe guard Daniel Dixon (0) dribbles against Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the first half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

2016-17 Stats: 30 GP, 19.2 PPG , 4.7 RPG, 2.5 APG, 48.2 FG%, 37.8 3P%

One of my favorite current candidates is William and Mary’s Daniel Dixon, at least in part because we both are alumni of the Tribe. Coming from a small school, Dixon already has the tables stacked against him, but he seems motivated to achieve his dreams and help out his local professional team.

Having a player from WM would not be unprecedented, as former William and Mary guard Marcus Thornton was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 45th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Partly because of Boston’s surplus of picks, Thornton has played in the NBL in Australia for the last two seasons, but he paved the path to the draft for the Tribe.

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Dixon, who is from Great Falls, VA, certainly took a longer path to professional basketball, compared to the other players. Before his senior year, he never averaged more than 12.5 PPG. Then something clicked.

In his sophomore year, he only averaged 11 points per game, but he shot 45.1% from three while playing alongside Thornton. After Thornton and a few other guards left, there was more room for Dixon to control the offense.

In his senior year, Dixon was explosive. As the season went on, his scoring outputs increased.

In his first round game of the CAA Tournament, Dixon scored 32 points against Towson while shooting 17-18 from the free throw line. Earlier in the season he hit a deep game winning three pointer at Hofstra.

This game came one game after he scored 32 against Hofstra, albeit in a loss.

He struggled against Duke and Louisville early in the season, but that’s to be expected for a school from the CAA traveling to play in the ACC.

At 6’6″ Dixon is one of the taller guards available around this part of the draft, but didn’t play against the same level of competition as many of the other available candidates.

While he probably won’t be drafted, Dixon has shown he deserves the chance to work out and compete, and may surprise some people come time for summer league.

Dixon is not ranked on DraftExpress’ latest Top 100 prospects list.

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