Transfer G Dixon makes workout debut
Just seconds into a fiveon-five scrimmage at the Finch Center on Saturday, the University of Memphis’ newest addition, senior transfer guard Michael Dixon, was already making his presence known.
The former Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year and AllDefensive Team pick as a junior at Missouri anticipated a cross-court pass by Tigers sophomore forward Damien Wilson, stepped in front of it and started a fast break the other way that led to a 2- 0 lead for Dixon’s White team.
Participating in his first summer workout with his new teammates Saturday, Dixon looked every bit like the impact player many college basketball experts believe he will be at Memphis this season if he’s granted a waiver by the NCAA to play immediately.
“I thought he had a good workout,” said coach Josh Pastner, whose Tigers wrapped up their f i rst week of summer workouts Saturday. “He’s very similar to (graduate transfer forward) David (Pellom). He’s a talker (on the court). He’s been around two high-level coaches in Mike Anderson and Frank Haith. He’s been around winning. So it’s a seamless transition for him.”
Dixon missed all of the 2012-13 season, sitting out Missouri’s first six games on suspension before the school and Dixon decided to part ways after a pair of sexual-assault accusations against him became public. No charges were filed in either case, which is in part why Pastner and Dix- on are hopeful that he’ll be granted a waiver.
Besides experience and a natural inclination to be vocal leader on the court, the 6-1, 190-pound combo guard would provide Memphis with another high-level playmaker and defender in a backcourt that already includes three players who averaged double figures and tallied 100plus assists last season in seniors Joe Jackson (13.6 pts per game, 4.8 assists per game), Chris Crawford (10.4 ppg, 3.2 apg) and Geron Johnson (10.4 ppg, 3.5 apg).
Dixon put up similar numbers as a junior at Missouri in 2011-12, averaging 13.5 points (on 48.7 percent shooting) with 116 assists as one of the nation’s top sixth men.
If Dixon is cleared to play this season, can the four — all with pro aspirations — coexist? Memphis had a fourth guard option last season in Antonio Barton, but Barton, who’s transferring to Tennessee, averaged career-lows of 5.6 points and 16.7 minutes per game with Pastner settling for the most part on a three-guard rotation that featured Jackson, Crawford and Johnson.
Keeping the four content if Dixon is granted the waiver could be a tough challenge for Pastner, who has hinted since Dixon’s arrival that he might use a four-guard lineup at times this season.
“It makes everyone better,” Pastner said. “Competition is healthy. It’s good for guys. If you’re scared of competition, then you can never say you want to play at the highest level. The best teams have great depth and they have competition so that everyone pushes each other.”