Dodson is at Pitt - Family Instrumental in Effort

Ron Bailey, Publisher

August 2, 2007 – This summer has been momentous moment in the Dodson household, as Darnell, a 6’7”, 200 pound swingman and graduate of Eleanor Roosevelt High School (MD) departed for the University of Pittsburgh. For the Dodson’s, college hoops is a family affair.

Darnell Dodson (right), with his dad, David, after this year's Capitol Classic. Darnell would drop 18 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals in the all star game.

With Darnell having played basketball since around the age of eight and his father David factoring heavily in his son’s development, the elder Dodson was understandably proud of his son’s scholarship to Pitt, stating “It’s a sense of accomplishment. I’m glad the work over the years has provided this opportunity”.

But in no way does he think his son has made it so to speak, as David noted “It’s all up to him” in terms of how Darnell does at Pitt, his first year. “He has to do the work”.

Being a coach himself, the Dodson patriarch’s response in which any hoopla was rejected should be expected. Darnell’s sister Davida, herself a scholarship baller at Radford University, was more sanguine regarding her brother’s possibility of success in college. “I think he will do well there” said the sibling who used to ‘rough off’ Darnell, a year her junior, in pick up games as kids. “It’s a good opportunity for him”.

“I have a sense of pride in it” said Dodson's sister, Davida, of her brother's (above) matriculation to Pitt, “because of where he started off, and where he is now”. That would include not only earning a scholarship, but scoring 1,262 points during his high school career and dropping a high of 49 points in a game – both Roosevelt records.

Darnell, widely known as a young guy who shows very little emotion – to say he has a natural poker playing demeanor is accurate – was typically laid back when reached before preparing to leave his Greenbelt, MD home for Pennsylvania in late June. “I’m ready” said Dodson soberly when asked of leaving, before commenting on his sense of pride. “I do and I don’t have one” he continued. “I know it’s not going to be easy up there. On the other hand, it’s a change and I’m used to changes. I pick up things quickly”.

To succeed at Pittsburgh, Darnell, a scorer supreme who averaged 28 points and 11 rebounds for Maryland state semi-finalist Roosevelt last season, must continue to expand his all-around game, including ball handling, defense, and rebounding. (For a good snapshot of Dodson’s skill set, see i95Ballerz.com coverage of Roosevelt’s epic victory over Freedom-Woodbridge last season).

Acknowledging the work ahead is something that has been drilled into him not only by his father, but sister as well. Being a Division I student-athlete herself, Davida was honest with her brother. “She just told me it was a lot of hard work” recalled Darnell of their talks. “Don’t get distracted from your purpose”.

Over the course of his high school career, Darnell Dodson steadily added to his skill set, including the ability to pat the rock, rebound, defend and lead (as he is doing above). Dodson, though not generally talkative, will motiviate his teammates by example and verbally.

Based upon Darnell’s belief the Big East is “a real competitive league, one of the best in the NCAA”, being prepared for the challenges facing him and a willingness to work hard, there should be little chance of that.

And if Darnell does loses focus, rest assured both his father and sister will let him know the error in his ways. As they always have. Call them his trump cards.