Since arriving in Chapel Hill, this North Carolina freshman has quickly seen his profile rise
Before every new season, there’s always buzz around which Tar Heel will break out, and this year, the spotlight is steadily shifting toward freshman guard Derek Dixon.
A Top 50 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, Dixon entered UNC with an impressive résumé. He was named the 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year for Washington, D.C., after leading Gonzaga College High School to a 29–5 record and the DC State Athletic Association Class AA championship. As a senior, he averaged 14.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, while hitting 80 three-pointers and shooting 38.5% from deep — a testament to his scoring efficiency and confidence on the perimeter.
At 6-foot-5, Dixon joins a deep Tar Heel backcourt featuring Kyan Evans, fellow freshman Isaiah Denis, Virginia Tech transfer Jaydon Young, Colorado State transfer KJ Simpson, and senior guard Seth Trimble. While he’s expected to come off the bench early on, coaches anticipate giving him significant minutes as a reserve point guard, with opportunities to showcase his poise and shooting touch.
Dixon’s strong preseason hasn’t gone unnoticed. His name came up repeatedly during ACC Tipoff at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown, where teammates praised his maturity and skill.
Seth Trimble, who has taken Dixon and Evans under his wing — the trio even jokingly calls themselves the “Light-Skin Squad” — spoke highly of the freshman’s composure and talent:
“Derek has been so poised the whole summer,” Trimble said. “He’s been incredible. He’s getting to his spots, he’s not afraid of the moment, and he’s confident taking big shots. I really see a lot in Derek — not just this year, but in the years ahead. He’s going to be an incredible basketball player.”
Henri Veesaar echoed that sentiment, emphasizing Dixon’s shooting and growth in running the offense:
“Yeah, Derek is a really good shooter,” Veesaar said. “We’ve had pickup games where he hit seven threes in a night, shooting a really high percentage. He’s also gotten a lot better at handling the ball and reading defenses in the pick-and-roll. His patience and feel have really stood out.”
As North Carolina gears up for another run in the ACC, Dixon’s progress is becoming one of the more exciting storylines. His shooting, confidence, and steady demeanor have already earned the respect of veterans and coaches alike. And while he may start his freshman campaign in a supporting role, it’s clear that Derek Dixon’s time in Chapel Hill is just beginning — and his potential ceiling is sky-high.
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