F: Amarion Dickerson (JR)
Height/Weight: 6’7”/185 lbs.
Previous School: Robert Morris
2024-25 Stats: 13.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.3 BPG, 53.1% FG
Offensive Impact
Dickerson is an interior scoring oriented 3 or 4 man who thrives in 3 areas: transition, offensive rebounding, and as a cutter. An extremely high motor creates much of his offensive value.
His long strides and plus athleticism in general allow him to get behind the defense in transition. Can take the ball up the floor off a rebound to speed up the transition game as well. 76th percentile in transition frequency, 81st percentile in scoring efficiency.
71st percentile in scoring efficiency as a cutter. Great lob threat for his size and cuts hard to the basket.
8.9% OREB rate last season. Elite rate for his 6’7”/185 lbs frame. One of the more active rebounders I have scouted in the portal thus far.
92nd percentile in scoring efficiency at the rim on high volume (184 attempts). Most of his rim scoring at RMU came from others creating looks for him (lobs, cuts), but Dickerson’s energy and knack for finding the soft spot in the defense allowed for easy baskets.
Can also score as a driver in a halfcourt setting, but this isn’t a reliable source of offense, especially when moving up to the Big Ten.
48.6% FT rate.
Dickerson’s perimeter game is fairly limited, shooting just 21-75 from 3 last season (28%). This aspect of his game could hurt the overall spacing for the Trojans’ offense, clogging up driving lanes for Rodney Rice and Chad Baker-Mazara.
Shot form/release isn’t horrendous, so there is potentially more room for efficiency, but he has also struggled to knock down unguarded C&S 3’s (24th percentile)
Will be a relentless downhill driver from anywhere on the perimeter, but there is also not much of a playmaking aspect to his game. The less he is creating offense for himself, the better.
While Dickerson’s high motor creates easy baskets and extra possessions, it can also create volatility. His overall lack of feel for the game and shot selection can be a real negative at times, but this factor is most likely something USC will have to live with, as he certainly has the ability to make big time plays that shift the outcome of a game.
Low turnover rate is encouraging (12.9% TO rate), but some shots that he takes might as well be turnovers. However, less offensive responsibility will help cut down the amount of bad shots.
There will be plenty of perimeter creators around Dickerson to allow his transition to Big Ten hoops to be somewhat easy. He has a highish offensive floor due to his intangibles and not relying on perimeter efficiency.
Defensive Impact
Ridiculously good rim protector for his size. Dickerson is 1 of 4 players 6’7” or shorter in the nation with at least an 8% block rate.
Combination of athleticism, wingspan, and high motor make him an extremely versatile defender.
Great instincts as a weak side rim protector as well.
Can guard 1-4 with relative ease. Dickerson is an elite lateral mover and recovery defender for his position. 97th percentile defending in isolation.
Has the speed and length to recover to shooters when out of position.
Looks to draw charges often. Not sure I love this, as he is an elite on ball defender and taking charges essentially takes him out of the play, but he does a nice job establishing position as the primary defender.
Struggles a bit with size when playing the 4. His thinner frame allows post up oriented frontcourt players to have success backing him down near the rim.
Also not a fantastic rebounder if he’s going to play the 4. 14.9% DREB rate last season. Can easily play the 3 for stretches and be fine.
Finds himself in foul trouble fairly often. Averaged 3.3 fouls per game last season. Fouled out of 7 games along with having 4 fouls in 11 other games.
Still averaged 29 minutes per game last season and most likely won’t see more than that at USC, so this isn’t a huge concern.
Dickerson is a perfect fit on the defensive end for Musselman’s system. The combo of on ball versatility and weak side rim protection will make him one of the best defenders in the Big Ten from night 1.