Prospect Spotlight: Coulter Dotson (2018)
Coulter Dotson will subscribe to the role of 3-point assailant this year at Believe Prep Academy (TN). A 6-foot-6 sharpshooter who has added range and taken strategic measures to become more of a multi-layered scorer, Dotson will gauge the Division-I market this season. After scoring 1,000+ points at Creek Wood (TN) High, Dotson must sustain his improvement on the defensive end and embrace defense on a day-to-day basis against national competition.
The White Bluff, TN product has shown flashes of a superior catch-and-stick game during the pre-season. In Believe’s 91-32 slaying of hapless Royal Ambassadors (MS) at the Memphis Classic, Dotson scored 17 points on the strength of five treys. While his shooting and ability to pile up points from beyond the arc has long been Dotson’s calling card, he will spend his senior season shedding any one-dimensional tags affiliated with his name.
Working defenders with step-back 3-pointers, transition 3-pointers, turnaround jumpers and vastly improved off-the-dribble moves, Dotson has worked furiously at his craft. The prep environment, where there is a 12-month focus and more emphasis on the skill components, has paid dividends for Dotson.
“The major difference is there is more competition at the prep level,” said Dotson, who will likely play two-guard in college.
“There is an around the clock focus to the game and the skill development aspects. All of us are striving to be the best everyday and pushing ourselves to help each other out. Believe’s focus on hoops is what I love. Everyday we are always working out and getting better. I’m a gym rat, so I love it.”
Picture the role notable 3-point ace Steve Novak played on the revitalized New York Knicks, when the team had Rasheed Wallace and Jason Kidd as veteran leaders. The onus is on Dotson to hit timely 3-pointers and balance out a thorough offensive attack propelled by 6-foot-6 Devan Cambridge. Cambridge, also a local Tennessee product, has offers from Georgia Tech and Auburn on the table. Both he and Believe made a loud statement with a pulsating 70-64 win over a revamped Tennessee Prep Academy national high school team in Saturday’s Memphis Classic.
On a team rife with guards, Dotson will expand his game by becoming more of a presence on the glass. Head coach Randy Casey has held Dotson to a high standard, imploring him to work on negating and neutralizing high scorers. The steady improvement in Dotson’s defense is as necessary as ever, as Believe Prep will crisscross the country with a schedule that includes Putnam Science, Mount Zion (MD), and a bevy of heavy hitters.
“I feel my role is to be an all around player and contribute both offensively and defensively,” Dotson said. “I’m also going to rebound, hit shots, and essentially do whatever is required to help the team win.”
Dotson’s ability to shoot the ball and spread out the perimeter game was never in question. His ability to hit pro level, heavily-contested shots and take the right shots is what makes him appealing at the ensuing level. Just how well he buys into the strategic defensive demands of this level will ultimately determine his value.