Class of 2022 G Amarion Dickerson (OH) Portal from RMU [Interest Only]

[Wrinkle]

This guy is definitely a 4. Good player

 

[IthacaMatt]

Gonna wait and see if we're seriously involved here before I start getting too excited, but he'd be a seemingly really nice pickup.

To do what? I don't see his role, honestly. We need a starting SF who can make a 3, which this guy cannot. I literally do not understand their approach to roster construction.

We already have Wilcox, the freshman SF who is a good shooter. Are we just not going to play Wilcox at all on a team with too little shooting?

If this guy is going to fill the Jyare Davis role next year, well, he only weighs 185, so who is he going to defend? Davis weighed about 220. He can't defend the lane at that size, he has to play on the perimeter. As a non-shooter.

Or, I guess that could look at him as a lesser shooting version of Lucas Taylor. I mean, what are they doing?

 

[IthacaMatt]

I'd be very hesitant due to size/frame and inability to shoot. BUT I'm starting to come around on the idea that we need more athleticism and a forward that has some proven ability, especially defensively. We have no clue if White will be able to contribute much right away, so having someone like this alongside Donnie would be great.

and anotherBUUUTTTT, we still will need a wing with shooting ability and it'd be an absolute must. We need shooting desperately.

If this is the best we can do, we're going to lose 20 games next year.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

To do what? I don't see his role, honestly. We need a starting SF who can make a 3, which this guy cannot. I literally do not understand their approach to roster construction.

We already have Wilcox, the freshman SF who is a good shooter. Are we just not going to play Wilcox at all on a team with too little shooting?

If this guy is going to fill the Jyare Davis role next year, well, he only weighs 185, so who is he going to defend? Davis weighed about 220. He can't defend the lane at that size, he has to play on the perimeter. As a non-shooter.

Or, I guess that could look at him as a lesser shooting version of Lucas Taylor. I mean, what are they doing?

First off, Dickerson is a really good player. People are getting way too hung up on three point shooting percentages. If we actually pull Dickerson from the portal that would be a major pickup.

Second, there is no Wilcox. There's Womack. I don't believe Womack is expected to get many minutes next season. If he shows up and is so good we can't keep him off the floor that's amazing, but I don't believe the staff is counting on that, and they definitely aren't going to pass on portal talent to clear the way for Womack to play.

 

[IthacaMatt]

First off, Dickerson is a really good player. People are getting way too hung up on three point shooting percentages. If we actually pull Dickerson from the portal that would be a major pickup.

Second, there is no Wilcox. There's Womack. I don't believe Womack is expected to get many minutes next season. If he shows up and is so good we can't keep him off the floor that's amazing, but I don't believe the staff is counting on that, and they definitely aren't going to pass on portal talent to clear the way for Womack to play.

Sorry, Womack.
Tell us what role Dickerson is going to play for us.
How does he fit?

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Sorry, Womack.
Tell us what role Dickerson is going to play for us.
How does he fit?

He would play the 3.

 

[IthacaMatt]

He would play the 3.

OK, so three of our starters would be sub-.350 three point shooters - Donnie, JJ and Dickerson. A center won't be shooting threes, so we'll hopefully have 1 good three point shooter in the point guard, and I've seen us looking at a few who are also not shooters.

So, that would be a team where JJ is going to be the alpha again. Not going to be a very good team if that's the best talent we put together. We just don't have the necessary skills to win with the line up you/we are putting together.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

OK, so three of our starters would be sub-.350 three point shooters - Donnie, JJ and Dickerson. A center won't be shooting threes, so we'll hopefully have 1 good three point shooter in the point guard, and I've seen us looking at a few who are also not shooters.

So, that would be a team where JJ is going to be the alpha again. Not going to be a very good team if that's the best talent we put together. We just don't have the necessary skills to win with the line up you/we are putting together.

Why do you think we reached out?

 

[IthacaMatt]

This guy is definitely a 4. Good player

OK, Donnie's not really a 3 yet, and White is a 4, too. And Petar if he comes back is a 4/5. I just don't see this guy helping us. He only weighs 185 and can't shoot a 3. We are already offensively challenged. I just don't see how we waste a spot on a guy who can't score, when we clearly need scoring from PG, C and SF.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Why do you think we reached out?

Because they apparently haven't gotten any better at identifying talent and constructing a roster, even with Klein's help.

Maybe we just can't get in the door with who we want, but tell me why this guy is better than Jyare Davis or Lucas Taylor? What do you see in his game? He seems more athletic, but less skilled and less physical than both.

I would be chasing my starters now, before they're gone. If this is the kind of guy he sees as a starter, I just don't see us scoring enough points to win games.

 

[Melancer46]

To do what? I don't see his role, honestly. We need a starting SF who can make a 3, which this guy cannot. I literally do not understand their approach to roster construction.

We already have Wilcox, the freshman SF who is a good shooter. Are we just not going to play Wilcox at all on a team with too little shooting?

If this guy is going to fill the Jyare Davis role next year, well, he only weighs 185, so who is he going to defend? Davis weighed about 220. He can't defend the lane at that size, he has to play on the perimeter. As a non-shooter.

Or, I guess that could look at him as a lesser shooting version of Lucas Taylor. I mean, what are they doing?

I already touched on this in one of my other posts, but my stance is basically this. If we're trying to get a backup or borderline starter on the wing that is both a good shooter and also a lockdown defender..good luck. It just isn't going to happen. We absolutely must come out of this off-season with guys that can shoot or guys that can set the tone defensively/play with a chip on their shoulder. Dickerson is the latter and we don't really have anyone like that on the roster right now.

I would also say non-shooter is harsh. Sadiq White is a non-shooter; he quite literally does not attempt jump shots and the few that he does do not go in. Dickerson has taken a good number of jumpers and hit around 30%. It's not good but sometimes a 30% chance at scoring 3 points is going to be the best an offense can do.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I already touched on this in one of my other posts, but my stance is basically this. If we're trying to get a backup or borderline starter on the wing that is both a good shooter and also a lockdown defender..good luck. It just isn't going to happen. We absolutely must come out of this off-season with guys that can shoot or guys that can set the tone defensively/play with a chip on their shoulder. Dickerson is the latter and we don't really have anyone like that on the roster right now.

I would also say non-shooter is harsh. Sadiq White is a non-shooter; he quite literally does not attempt jump shots and the few that he does do not go in. Dickerson has taken a good number of jumpers and hit around 30%. It's not good but sometimes a 30% chance at scoring 3 points is going to be the best an offense can do.

Saddiq White has about 30 pounds on Dickinson and is a legit PF.

Freeman is still mostly PF, less so a SF, and is spotty from outside. It's not his strength offensively.

So you see Dickinson as a better version of Lucas Taylor, but without the outside shooting. That's still a back up to me.

If we don't have money to buy GOOD players, then we really don't have money to buy the players we need.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Because they apparently haven't gotten any better at identifying talent and constructing a roster, even with Klein's help.

Maybe we just can't get in the door with who we want, but tell me why this guy is better than Jyare Davis or Lucas Taylor? What do you see in his game? He seems more athletic, but less skilled and less physical than both.

I would be chasing my starters now, before they're gone. If this is the kind of guy he sees as a starter, I just don't see us scoring enough points to win games.

So you're going with the least generous explanation possible.

Cool cool cool.

 

[Melancer46]

Saddiq White has about 30 pounds on Dickinson and is a legit PF.

Freeman is still mostly PF, less so a SF, and is spotty from outside. It's not his strength offensively.

So you see Dickinson as a better version of Lucas Taylor, but without the outside shooting. That's still a back up to me.

If we don't have money to buy GOOD players, then we really don't have money to buy the players we need.

If we want to make the SF our top priority, then yeah, maybe we can do better. But realistically, we will probably prioritize PG and C, likely in that order. After spending big on a PG, C, Donnie, and JJ, whoever we get for the SF/PF role probably will not be the perfect archetype that every school is constantly searching for. Even if we have a good amount of money at our disposal this off-season, I don't see that as a realistic outcome personally. Anyone that checks the boxes you're looking for is going to be the highest of high priorities for basically everyone.

Again, ultimately I think we will have to sacrifice the shooting or the defense and assuming our PG is a guy that can truly elevate the offense, I'd be happy settling for our 5th starter being a guy that sets the tone defensively and fires everyone up.

 

[Wrinkle]

OK, Donnie's not really a 3 yet, and White is a 4, too. And Petar if he comes back is a 4/5. I just don't see this guy helping us. He only weighs 185 and can't shoot a 3. We are already offensively challenged. I just don't see how we waste a spot on a guy who can't score, when we clearly need scoring from PG, C and SF.

He can score a little he just does most of his work around the rim. Runs the floor well, flashes a little perimeter skill, definitely an athlete, looks like he'd be a great player off the bench.

 

[IthacaMatt]

So you're going with the least generous explanation possible.

Cool cool cool.

Who does he remind you of?
You've told us you think he's a really good player and should start at SF. Who is his comparable?

 

[IthacaMatt]

He can score a little he just does most of his work around the rim. Runs the floor well, flashes a little perimeter skill, definitely an athlete, looks like he'd be a great player off the bench.

That's what I'm saying, he's a bench player, not a starter if we want to make the tournament.

 

[Wrinkle]

That's what I'm saying, he's a bench player, not a starter if we want to make the tournament.

I would be comfortable starting him at the 4, I think he's definitely good enough but we need to see how Freeman/White shakes out

 

[IthacaMatt]

I would be comfortable starting him at the 4, I think he's definitely good enough but we need to see how Freeman/White shakes out

How does that work with 2 Mc Donalds AAs who play the same position on the bench?

 

[Wrinkle]

How does that work with 2 Mc Donalds AAs who play the same position on the bench?

I would imagine both freeman and white will be starting at the 4 and 5

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Who does he remind you of?
You've told us you think he's a really good player and should start at SF. Who is his comparable?

Nah, I'm good. We're not going to accomplish anything.

 

[crv1728]

Highlights from Alabama vs Robert Morris for anyone that wants to check out Dickerson in action.

 

[ar inj]

How does that work with 2 Mc Donalds AAs who play the same position on the bench?

Chill out. Not everything that is happening is out for public display on the internet. You will have plenty of time to tell us how much better a coach and GM you would be after the roster is constructed.

Better yet, you have already given up on next year. Why not come back in September 2026 to tell us how bad that team will be.

 

[AZOrange]

Well wait until you see Sadiq next year. And I’d say Freeman is pretty athletic and can definitely get up there too lol. But Sadiq is Jerami Grant level athletic. Their games are very comparable. Next year has the potential to be our biggest, lengthiest, most athletic team we’ve had in awhile. Complete 180 from last year. At least with the 6 we got so far and who we are interested in so far

Don’t know why but Amarion reminds me our Southy a bit

 

[IthacaMatt]

I would imagine both freeman and white will be starting at the 4 and 5

They can play there for maybe 10 minutes, but Saddiq White would be like having Maliq Brown at center - best case scenario. Either one of them at center will be outweighed by 40-60 pounds by the guys they would be asked to guard.