MarshallƵs Mikal Dawson (23) defends against PikevilleƵs Conner Lane (3) in an exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, at the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington.
MarshallƵs Mikal Dawson (23) defends against PikevilleƵs Conner Lane (3) in an exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, at the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington.
HUNTINGTON Ƶ Merely coming back home to play basketball was never going to be enough for Mikal Dawson, who transferred from Akron to play his final season at Marshall.
He wanted to make a difference on a Thundering Herd team with renewed energy after a coaching change and that is eager to prove itself after falling well short of its ultimate goal a year ago.
Dawson was the first transfer brought in by first-year coach Cornelius Jackson after he replaced Dan DƵAntoni following the 2023-24 season. He has brought more to the table that Jackson anticipated.
ƵMike Dawson, heƵs a winner. He won at a high level at Akron, and IƵve been so impressed with his maturity,Ƶ Jackson said. ƵI knew Mike, but I didnƵt (truly) know Mike until he got here, and his work ethic is unbelievable. His maturity, the way he approaches things day in and day out, has really stood out to me since heƵs been here in a short time.Ƶ
ItƵs reminiscent of how DƵAntoni talked about Nate Martin after he transferred to the Herd from Texas State before last season. Martin, whom Jackson recruited, made an immediate impact, averaging a double-double in 2023-24 while leading the Herd in rebounding by a hefty margin, with 158 more than the second-highest rebounder on the team.
Dawson said JacksonƵs energy and passion sold him on the Herd, combined with the opportunity to continue a long history of basketball for the Huntington native.
ƵI think itƵs probably the best the best fit ever,Ƶ Dawson said during MarshallƵs media day event. ƵI mean, to start out playing here, Huntington High, Huntington Middle, into Huntington Prep, then going away, it was kind of difficult because I couldnƵt play in front of my friends and family, and just to do it here for my last around (is special).Ƶ
ItƵs a far cry from where he sat just a handful of years ago, sitting in the crowd at the Cam Henderson Center watching former players from Damier Pitts and DeAndre Kane to Ajdin Penava, Jon Elmore and CJ Burks.
The scenario is now flipped, and a younger generation with college basketball aspirations will have the chance to watch him play in the same arena Ƶ a feeling he said Ƶoverwhelms him with joy.Ƶ
ƵI do think itƵs gonna be a fun year. ItƵs funny, because I was talking to some of my friends in the summer that it hasnƵt really even like hit me that IƵm actually playing for Marshall,Ƶ Dawson said. ƵLike, it wonƵt hit me until that first game. I just canƵt wait.Ƶ
Sunday was his first chance to play in front of the home crowd during an exhibition win over the University of Pikeville. Marshall opens the regular season slate Monday evening against Davis and Elkins.
Luke Creasy is a sports reporter for HD Media. He can be reached by phone at 304-526-2800.
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