LOBO MEN’S BASKETBALL: Pitino, UNM land first recruit for 2024
Courtsey of UNM Athletics
UNM men’s basketball has its first player committed to the Class of 2024.
Kayde Dotson, a 6-foot-2 guard, announced on Wednesday in his hometown of Beaumont, Texas that he will play for the Lobos and head coach Richard Pitino.
Dotson told The Albuquerque Journal he liked “the program that (UNM has and) playing in The Pit is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Journal also reported that Dotson made his official recruiting visit on the weekend of Sept. 9.
Doston is a three-star recruit who impressed scouts during the summer while competing for the John Lucas Elite (former Maryland All-American player John Lucas’ grassroots team) and being invited to play in the infamous Peach Jam, a highly regarded national amateur championship held as part of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL). Dotson averaged 18 points a game while shooting 40 percent from 3.
Several notable high school recruits competed in the invite-only event. Notable players included five-star Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer (son of former Duke and NBA player Carlos Boozer).
In an AAU game against the Vegas Elite, Dotson went head-to-head with Ohio State commit Juni Mobley, a 4-star recruit with “laser-like” shooting ability. Mobley is considered one of the premier high school shooters in the country.
Dotson had a game-high 24 points and hit three 3-pointers. He also defended Mobley well.
Dotson’s ability to find open teammates on the floor is natural. Although he’s not considered a true point guard, he has great court vision, precision passing ability, and anticipates open play.
"Last year was my first year really playing point guard, so I've been working on not turning the ball over,” Dotson told Ashly Elam of KBMT (News 12 in Beaumont, Texas). “More assists than turnovers. Finding ways to get my players more shots and get myself shots as well."
Those who have coached Dotson closely have said he is a natural-born leader on the court.
“He has confidence. Matter of fact, I've gotten to the point now when we start the games off, I allow him to start off calling the plays,” Dotson’s head high school basketball coach David Green said. “I then just feel my way in and gradually finish the game off in like the third or fourth quarter. But Kayde starts it off because he's so sharp. He understands what Beaumont United needs at that particular time."
Dotson will join a backcourt with Donovan Dent next year (Jaelen House, Jamal Mashburn Jr., and Jemarl Baker Jr. will graduate).