Wildcat’s Eric Dixon Exceeds Expectations
Heading into the 2024 season, there were very high hopes for star Villanova forward Eric Dixon. Before the season began, analysts predicted the Wildcat’s leading scorer in 2023 would put on a show this year and average around 23 PPG, up from his average of 16.6 PPG last year. He’s not only averaging 23.2 PPG but leads the league in points per game and has made a solid case for going high in the upcoming draft.
The 6’8″ forward has grown a lot from last season and has shown many of the intangibles that NBA scouts look for. All of the preseason critiques of his game revolved around his shooting, aggression around the rim, and his footwork. This year Dixon is shooting the ball about as well as he ever has, especially from beyond the arc. His field goal percentage (46.2%) isn’t very shocking considering he can do a lot of damage in the post with his 6’8″ 265lb frame, but his three-point percentage has made a considerable jump from recent years. He averaged over 34% last year and 37% the year prior but is shooting over 42% from beyond the arc this year.
Where Will Villanova Star Go?
A lot of NBA teams could make use of a versatile player like Dixon. For starters, he’s a monster in the post and can out-muscle and out-effort the majority of his opposition. He’s gotten much more aggressive in the post this season and increased his shooting numbers to near career highs. His continuous improvement shows a high ceiling and the capability for rapid development, perfect for NBA teams who are contenders and hope to stack their bench with game ready players.
His playstyle is extremely similar to Jayson Tatum, but with more dominance under the rim. They’re both very skilled and versatile 6’8″ players that can affect the game on both ends of the floor. Dixon and Tatum can also both handle the ball very well, play iso ball and shoot from anywhere on the floor. What also makes Dixon special as an NBA draft prospect is how he can be used against certain teams.
Should his numbers remain similar in the NBA, then he could be extremely valuable as a third or fourth option for teams looking for size mismatches or tempo changes. His ability to score at a high clip combined with his size would allow teams to be able to play him in big lineups as well as small ones without sacrificing defense or offense.
Teams like Washington, Utah, Orlando, and New Orleans could be good for Dixon for the fact that they’re bottom teams which could result in him getting more playing time. But title contending teams like the Cavaliers, Thunder, Lakers, and even Celtics could take him late in the second round and develop him quickly to fit into their systems. His potential and skillset highly suggest that he could eventually play a role similar to an Al Horford or even Jimmy Butler.
What Will Help or Hurt His Draft Stock
Dixon’s already shown a tremendous amount of growth following his return to Villanova after withdrawing from last year’s draft. Upon announcing his return to Villanova, he made an announcement talking about his experience.
“I learned a lot going through this process and received great feedback on my game. I am excited to take the advice with me as I further strengthen my skill set at Villanova University. More importantly, I’m ready to handle some unfinished business with my Villanova Basketball Family.”
He’s already done about as much as possible in terms of showcasing his scoring capabilities. Leading the NCAA all season long carries its fair share of weight, but it might be overshadowed by the spotlight on players like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Johni Broome, and Ace Bailey. On top of that, Villanova is currently 6th in the Big East which isn’t seen as a strong conference.
As a result, the level of the competition against his level of success might not equate to a high draft stock. The other players going higher in the draft will also have the added benefit of playing in March Madness which grants massive exposure. They’ll be able to not only showcase their talents, but their decision making in crucial games and moments. Villanova only has four more games and would have to pull off a miracle to make the tournament unfortunately.
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