FAYETTEVILLE — Joshua Dawson knows how to win. He’s the only athlete in the nearly century-long history of Kinston or Adkin High School basketball to win three state titles in his prep career.
Now, Dawson has taken his winning ways to Fayetteville, where — as a freshman point guard on a team full of upperclassmen — he has already infected his teammates with his attitude.
“Josh is a great player and not your average freshman,” said FSU’s leading scorer, senior Tyrrel Tate. “He’s not complacent. He’s taken a leadership role, but he’s also willing to listen. When you find a freshman who is willing to listen and learn, those abilities are going to take him to the next level.”
After an 84-68 victory against Virginia University of Lynchburg on Tuesday night, the Broncos are 2-1. Part of the reason they’re boasting a winning record is because of their freshman leader.
Naturally, as he did during his sterling prep career at Kinston High School, Dawson took the attention from himself and directed it towards his teammates.
“They’re looking at me to lead on the court, but they’re leading me on and off the court,” Dawson said after Tuesday’s game. “They’re teaching me new stuff. I love them — even when I get down on myself in a game, they’re there for me and bring me back up.”
Dawson made his college debut with a four-point, five-assist performance in an 83-78 loss to Concord (W.Va.) on Friday. However, he exploded offensively a day later in the FSU’s 93-86 victory against Notre Dame (Ohio) with 25 points, four assists and six rebounds.
In Tuesday’s victory against VUL, Dawson had 10 points, a team-high four assists and five rebounds to help lead the Broncos.
Entering Saturday’s game at Paine College in Augusta, Ga., Dawson is averaging 13 points, four assists, 4.7 rebounds and three steals through FSU’s first three contests. He’s second on the team in scoring and fourth in rebounds, but is the team leader in assists and steals.
FSU coach Alphonso Kee said Dawson comes into Fayetteville with a solid reputation.
“His reputation is not only that of a talented guy, but that of being a leader,” Kee said. “He’s a competitor who does all the small things.”
Last season, the Broncos lost 12 of their final 13 games to finish 9-17. Kee brought Dawson in to help turn FSU into a winner.
FSU was one of the earliest programs to recruit Dawson, a fact that helped bring the decorated guard to Fayetteville, although he eventually had offers and interest from much bigger programs. That type of loyalty and dedication is something Kee said he admires in his prized freshman.
“He showed me what he’s made of during recruiting,” Kee said. “He’s loyal and has a lot of intangibles, and he showed me all of that. Often, this level of program at Fayetteville State and in this league, you have to have Division I talent. He is that.
“He showed me how committed he is and that’s going to pay dividends in his career here.”
Kee is confident that the sky is the limit for Dawson.
“He has the stuff you don’t and can’t chart,” Kee said. “You can see his shooting, dribbling and the rest of his skill set, but you cannot measure his heart and leadership. He has All-American toughness, All-American heart and if he stays hungry, humble and focused, he’ll be an All-American in every sense of the word.”
Dawson’s not all business, though.
“He thinks he can dance, I’ll leave it at that,” Tate said with a smile.
With a laugh, Kee said, “Behind the scenes, he’s extremely goofy and a comedian. He even thinks he’s a dancer.”
Kee added, “But when he hits the floor, he assumes that leadership role. He’s a leader in pick-up, in weights and in practice. He’s a guy that consistently, when the lights are on, is a man who is ahead of his years.”
Bryan C. Hanks can be reached at 252-559-1074 or at Bryan.Hanks@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BCHanks.