Tag: Dexter Dennis

Texas A&M’s Dexter Dennis shines with all-around performance at the NTX Combine

As scouts begin to evaluate for the upcoming NBA Draft, Aggies guard Dexter Dennis put on an all-around performance at the 2023 NTX Combine this past week.

Texas A&M basketball head coach Buzz Williams has a track record of producing prospects for the next level. On Thursday, we may have witnessed the next name ready to make some noise in the NBA.

The NTX International Combine ran from Tuesday, May 2 through Thursday, May 4 from Duncanville, Texas, and is the premier pre-draft combine where 30 draft-eligible seniors are evaluated by NBA scouts and coached by former NBA players.

Among those in attendance was Dexter Dennis, who spent five seasons at the collegiate level and his last year with the Maroon and White.

All eyes were on Dennis on Thursday as the Aggie dropped 28 points on 11-15 shooting, including 4-5 from three. A&M fans are no strangers to Dennis’ all-around skillset, and he put it on display by chipping in with six rebounds and four assists.

At 6-5 and 210 lbs, Dennis possesses the size and length that is becoming increasingly vital at the NBA level. In today’s game, it seems as if a team can’t possibly have too many capable wing defenders, and the fact that Dennis is a proven two-way player should only heighten his stock ahead of the June draft. In addition to averaging 9.5 points per game last season, Dennis logged averages of 0.6 blocks and 0.8 steals per contest.

As prospect draft profiles begin to roll out over the coming weeks, it will be interesting to see where analysts project Dennis’ draft position. The Aggie should at least warrant second-round consideration given his experience on both ends of the floor.

Yet when scouts dissect the type of performance he put together at the NTX Combine, don’t rule out him seeing a worthwhile boost on various draft boards.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

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Texas A&M’s Dexter Dennis gets heartwarming thank-you from team in postgame video

Dexter Dennis will depart following his final year of eligibility, but not before the Aggies gave him a heartwarming thank-you.

Texas A&M regrouped in the locker room after seeing their season end at the hands of Penn State in the NCAA Tournament, but that didn’t stop Coach Buzz Williams from addressing priority number one.

And with that, he asked guard Dexter Dennis to take a seat in front of his fellow Aggies teammates.

With each one of his teammates’ resting their hands on his shoulders, the Texas A&M locker room prayed over him and made sure to thank him for his decision to join them in College Station, all the while expressing gratitude for the contributions he made while donning the Maroon and White.

Check out the full heartwarming thank-you from Coach Williams and the team below:

Dennis may have played just one season in College Station but his presence will have a lasting impact on Aggies basketball. After transferring from Wichita State, the fifth-year senior finished with a career-best in rebounds (5.7 RPG) and second-best scoring output (9.5 PPG) while with A&M.

From his defensive tenacity to his leadership and overall pure effort, Buzz Williams might have put it best when noting Dennis’ impact “can’t be quantified.”

You can’t acknowledge the Aggies’ miraculous turnaround season without giving Dennis his flowers. A&M was left out to dry following a 6-5 start to the season, only to finish 15-3 in the SEC and the number two seed in the conference.

The Aggies would go on to make back-to-back conference championships while punching their ticket back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.

A comeback story like that doesn’t write itself, you need the commitment of the full 14-man roster to forge that type of culture. And when you see the likes of Dennis buy into that mentality, if even for a brief stint with the Maroon and White, that becomes contagious.

Even though the graduate will depart Texas A&M basketball, College Station will forever remain a second home for him. As the saying goes, he “eats for free” whenever he finds himself back.

Best of luck in your next chapter Dex, and thank you for all the memories and joy of this season!

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Buzz Williams, Dexter Dennis, and Julius Marble speak after Texas A&M loses 76-59 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament

See what Head coach Buzz Williams, Dexter Dennis, and Julius Marble had to say after Texas A&M’s opening round 76-59 March Madness loss to Penn State

Texas A&M’s 2022-2023 season officially came to an end at the hands of one of the hottest shooting performances I’ve personally witnessed in an NCAA Tournament, and 10-seed Penn State throttled the seven-seeded Aggies 76-59 in a game that was over at halftime.

Less than a week removed from their forgettable loss in the SEC Championship game against Alabama last Sunday, the offensive woes sadly continued against the Nittany Lions, shooting 33.9% from the field, and 29% from deep (10-34), while only making it to the free throw line 12 times due to their erratic game plan in response to Penn State’s surprisingly efficient defense.

On the other side, Micah Shrewsberry’s squad was literally on fire from 3-point land, shooting 13-22 including an 8-10 showing for guard Ashton Funk. In the losing effort, departing seniors Dexter Dennis and Tyrece “Boots” Radford scored 16 and 14 points, while sophomore guard Wade Taylor IV scored 10 points on 2-10 shooting, one of his worst outings this season.

The season is over, and the offseason has begun for a program that is clearly on the rise but needs to fill a number of holes in both recruiting and the transfer portal.

After the game, Head coach Buzz Williams, Dexter Dennis, and Julius Marble spoke to the media for one of the final teams this season. Here’s what they had to say after the loss.

Dexter Dennis, Tyrece Radford, and Wade Taylor IV speak for the final time ahead of Texas A&M’s opening round March Madness matchup vs. Penn State

Hear what Dexter Dennis, Tyrece Radford, and Wade Taylor IV said before Thursday’s opening-round matchup vs. Penn State in the NCAA Tournament

The seven-seeded Texas A&M Aggies (26-9, 15-3 SEC) are just one sleep away from their late-night opening-round showdown vs. the 10-seed Penn State Nittany Lions on Thursday night, coming into the game with a confident mindset in their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018, and first under Head coach Buzz Williams in his fourth season with the program.

Both programs finished the regular season on a high note, as Penn State has won 8 out of their last 10, while the Aggies notched 10 out of their last 12, both losing in their conference tournament final on Sunday afternoon. Underseeded as all get out, Texas A&M knows that focusing on the task at hand and staying true to their play style is the only way to way to move on in the Tournament, facing a Nittany Lions offense that shoots nearly 40% from deep, and led by Jalen Pickett (17.9 PPG), Seth Lundy (14.4 PPG), and Andrew Funk (12.1 PPG), defense on the perimeter is an absolute must from start to finish.

A day before the game, Dexter Dennis, Tyrece “Boots” Radford, and Wade Taylor IV spoke to the media to give their final scouting report on Penn State, and the importance of living in the moment during one of the most magical times of the sports calendar. Here’s what all three had to say for the final time ahead of the game.

Texas A&M vs. Penn State will be held at Well Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, and is slated for Thursday, March 16th at 8:55 PM CT and will air on TBS.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

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Texas A&M basketball 2022-23 regular season roster breakdown, stats, and analysis

As Texas A&M marches toward its tournament run we look back at the regular season roster that propelled the Aggies to success in ’22-23.

Texas A&M enters the month of March after a superb regular season that saw the Aggies finish 23-8 overall and 15-3 in the SEC, good for second place in the conference. As compensation for their success this year the Aggies enter the SEC tournament as the top-tier threat to dethrone Alabama, while they also await to hear their name called on Selection Sunday. The latter is arguably a given at this point.

With regular season celebrations in the rearview mirror, it’s now full steam ahead with focus and energy toward tournament season. But before the madness of March ensues, it’s worth a look back on the 14-man roster that propelled Texas A&M to a stellar season.

We break down each player’s 2022-23 stats below, as well as recap with a quick analysis:

Texas A&M is a top threat in the SEC Tournament due to one key advantage

The Aggies are arguably the SEC’s biggest threat heading into the tournament with a key statistical advantage at their disposal

Texas A&M may have been the surprise team of the SEC in the regular season, but it’s no secret that the Aggies are on everyone’s radar as they approach the SEC tournament. While Alabama is the top seed in the bracket, we’ve witnessed the Aggies slay that dragon just this past weekend in their 67-61 victory in the regular season finale.

What are the odds that Texas A&M can dethrone the Crimson Tide once more should they meet for the SEC title? If they lean into a key strength like they did this past Saturday, chances are we’ll see this movie play out once more.

One of the advantages in the Aggies’ back pocket is their knack for both getting to the free throw line at will, as well as converting those opportunities. In a college basketball landscape where the offensive and defensive rating is at the top of everyone’s minds, free throw efficiency tends to be easily glossed over.

Texas A&M ranks third in the country in free throw rate (25.4 attempts per game) and when they can knock down those shots it serves as an easy foil to any defense. Look no further than Saturday’s win over Alabama, as the Aggies converted 27-of-28 free throws and kept the Crimson Tide’s defense honest in guarding the paint.

It doesn’t matter how stout or formidable your defense is, you will end up paying the price when slashers like Wade Taylor, Dexter Dennis, Tyrese Radford, and Henry Coleman enforce their will in the paint. What should not go unnoticed is that Radford and Taylor were both perfect from the charity stripe against Alabama in the regular season finale, going 10-for-10.

When the shot isn’t falling or if the offensive rhythm is in a funk, there’s no better medicine than converting easy opportunities at the free-throw line.

The Aggies are still waiting to see who stands in their way ahead of Friday’s quarterfinals matchup, but it’s clear a rematch with Alabama could be in the works. Whether it’s the Crimson Tide or another SEC foe in the headlights, Texas A&M’s aptitude for the charity stripe should serve them well moving forward.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee

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Henry Coleman III And Dexter Dennis’ Pre Game Press Conference ahead of Texas A&M’s home matchup vs. Tennessee

Hear what Henry Coleman III and Dexter Dennis had to say ahead of Texas A&M’s Top 25 home matchup vs. Tennessee.

The 25th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies (20-7, 12-2 SEC) are just one sleep away from their biggest matchup of the season thus far, as the 11th-ranked Tennesee Volunteers (20-7, 9-5 SEC) visit Reed Arena on Tuesday night in the battle for seeding in the SEC, and NCAA Tournament next month.

After going 2-0 last week with victories over Arkansas (62-56) and Missouri (69-60), sophomore guard Wade Taylor IV, who averaged 19.5 ppg between both contests, was named SEC Player of the Week, while the Aggies received their No. 25 ranking in both the AP and USA TODAY polls on Monday as well. Sitting second in the SEC with a three-game lead on both Kentucky and Tennesee, chasing the 13-1 Alabama Crimson Tide for their first conference title since sharing the achievement with Kentucky during the 2015-16 season.

Henry Coleman III and Dexter Dennis sat down with the local media ahead of the game to discuss the Top 25 showdown vs. Tennessee, among other topics. Here’s what Coleman and Dennis had to say ahead of Tuesday night’s game.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

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The Aggies open up their 2022 basketball season by defeating Louisiana Monroe 87-54

The Aggies open up their 2022 basketball season defeating by Louisiana Monroe 87-4

The Aggies couldn’t have asked for a better season-opening win in one of their most important seasons under 4th-year head coach Buzz Williams, defeating the Louisana Monroe Warkhawks 87-54 on Monday night.

In the first game without former star guard, and 2021 leader Quenton Jackson, the starting lineup included returning starters Tyrece Radford, Wade Taylor IV, Henry Coleman, Witchita State transfer Dexter Dennis, and freshman Solomon Washington.

From start to finish, the Aggies showed consistency on offense and were lethal from beyond the arc, shooting an impressive 46 % from 3-point range while hitting 12 3’s, while starting guard Wade Talyor IV (18 points, 4-6 from 3) showed great improvement as a shooter and should be a go-to offensive threat from the outside as the season progresses. Witchita State transfer Dexter Dennis had a solid debut, shooting 4-6 for 11 points and 3-4 from three, the second most on the night behind Taylor IV. While shooting 50.8 percent from the field, the Aggies outrebounded the Warhawks 47-36, while mounting a 38-point lead during their second-half run.

Led by junior forward Henry Coleman III, the Aggies’ inside game began to pick up in the second half, scoring 6 of his 11 points after the break, while Michigan State transfer forward Julius Marble also contributed 6 points in the paint, as the two will continue to jell down the stretch to eventually become a feared duo.

Fan favorite Hayden Hefner (12 points, 2-5 3-point) and Manny Obaseki (4-6, 10 points) showed just how deep Buzz Williams’s roster truly is, as the latter Obaseki will most likely join the starting lineup down the stretch as the former 5-star continues to increase his level of play as the season ramps up. All in all, the team did its job and blew out an inferior opponent, while showing that they belong in the conversation for one of the better teams in the SEC, and the country at large. Gig ’em.

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Witchita State Transfer Dexter Dennis officially signs with Texas A&M

Witchita State Transfer Dexter Dennis officially signs with Texas A&M

On May 13th, The Texas A&M Basketball team added one of the top available players in the transfer portal, Junior guard and Witchita State Transfer, Dexter Dennis. After one of the most successful seasons in program history finishing with a 27-13 record with an appearance in the NIT Championship game, 3rd-year head coach Buzz Williams knew that after the loss of star guard and team leader Quenton Jackson to graduation, and backup guards Hassan Diarra and Aaron Cash to transfer portal, additions needed to be made, and the transfer portal need to be utilized in the Aggies favor.

As of today, Dexter Dennis is officially a member of the 2022-2023 Texas A&M Basketball team. At 6-5, 210lbs, Dennis has the length and perimeter scoring ability to become a reliable offensive presence on top of his already dominant defensive prowess. In his last season with Shockers, Dennis was named AAC Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 8.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, while helping lead Witchita State to their first AAC regular-season title, as well as an at-large NCAA Tournament bid.

With the other transfer additions of Michigan State transfer forward, Julius Marble, Mississippi State transfer guard, Andersson Garcia, and Arkansas transfer guard, Khalen “KK” Robinson, the current roster is as talented and deep as it’s been in years, and how about that, it’s just in time for Buzz William’s to secure his first NCAA Tournament bid with the program.

Gig ‘Em!

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Aggie Basketball lands another huge commitment from the transfer portal!

Aggie Basketball lands another huge commitment from the transfer portal!

If you were paying any attention to the 2021-2022 Texas A&M Basketball team throughout their emotional roller coaster of a season, it’s time to get very, very excited about the future of the program, starting with what Head Coach Buzz Williams has done to prepare for the 2022-2023 campaign via the transfer portal.

Today, the Aggies received a huge commitment from former Wichita State guard Dexter Dennis, the 6’5″, 210lb junior who hails from Baker, Louisiana, and averaged over 30 minutes per game, 8.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists during the 2021-2022 season with the shockers.

Before today’s news, a month after the conclusion of the season, the roster took a couple of hits after the news that reserve guards Hassan Diarra and Aaron Cash announced their decisions to enter the transfer portal combined with star guard Quenton Jackson’s graduation, with Diarra recently announcing his commitment to UConn. However, good news has started to pour in as of late. starting with the same-day commitments from forwards Julius Marble from Michigan State and Andersson Garcia from Mississippi State, capped off with the May 2nd commitment of Arkansas Transfer guard Khalen “KK” Robinson.

The addition of Dexter Dennis not only brings a load of experience, talent, and added depth to the guard position, but also gives Williams another reliable leader on the court to pair with senior point guard Tyrece “Boots” Radford, and potentially move sophomore Wade Taylor IV to the shooting guard position full time. Get ready Aggie fans, we might be looking at one of the best teams Buzz Williams has ever assembled in his coaching career.

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