INSIDE WITH RENARDO DIXON
1-26-05
By: Greg Stephenson

Renardo Dixon knows how to dunk.  Ask any fan who has recently attended a Virginia Commonwealth men’s basketball game and they will tell you.  He knows how to get them out of their seats.  Just watch him on a fast break as he makes eye contact with his teammate, skyrockets into the air to grab the pass and conveniently slam the ball through the rim on his way back down to earth.  Watch as the crowd at the ALLTEL Pavilion at the Stuart C. Siegel Center leaps out of their seat and roars in approval.  Watch as the cheerleaders throw the VCU Basketball t-shirts into the stands and one thing becomes apparent: more than likely, they are going to need to order some more shirts.

“We think he can be a very good player in this league and in our program,” said head coach Jeff Capel.  “I think he is very talented physically as far as athleticism is concerned.  I think he’s skilled, he can score inside and out, and he has a good touch.”

Slim, as Dixon is known to those on his team, stands at a lanky 6’9” and considers himself an all-around player.  With a wingspan of a pterodactyl he can block an unsuspecting opponent’s shot and then, on the ensuing fast break, finish the play off with one of his trademark dunks.  He can also post up a player, turn around and swish a fade away jumper.  More importantly, though, he can hit a critical shot in a close game as the seconds inch their way towards the buzzer. 

In the Rams’ home game against Drexel on January 11, Dixon nailed a crucial three-pointer to give VCU a one-point lead with 2.5 seconds left in the game.  Nevermind that Dixon, a transfer from Marshall who only saw limited action in 14 games before transferring to VCU, is almost like a freshman.  He was having the game of his life leading all scorers with his career-high 18 points and Capel entrusted him to be out on the floor in the waning moments of this close game. 

Dixon’s college career got off to a slow start.  After a coaching change at Marshall, Dixon decided he wanted to transfer.  VCU Assistant Coach Mark Cline, who saw Dixon play in high school while recruiting for his former employer, Virginia Tech, received a call from a friend letting him know of Dixon’s intentions.  The coaching staff was interested and once all the paperwork cleared, they went and saw him workout. 

“We saw him one time, and I knew right then that we wanted him on our team,” said Capel.  “We offered him a scholarship right then.  We brought him in for an official visit, and he decided he wanted to come to VCU.”

Due to NCAA rules regarding transfers, Dixon could practice with the team, but was unable to suit up for games, further inhibiting his development.  “We knew early on that it was going to take him a while,” said Capel.  “Although he’s a third-year sophomore, we kind of look at him as a freshman because as far as game experience he hasn’t really played one with a whistle, so we knew it was going to take him a while.  We just had to be patient with him and keep encouraging him.”

So Dixon was left with practice to work on his game and he did just that.   “It feels like the harder I practice, the more comfortable I feel in the games,” said Dixon.  “All I had to do, coach said, was build on my confidence on the court and everything else will come easy to me. “

That confidence, Dixon says, was built through practice and has carried over into this season’s games.  “Practice allows me to always be on the court and go hard,” said Dixon. 

“It shows during game time because I never get tired during the game, so the harder I go in practice the easier the game is. “

“I think it’s starting to click for him,” added Capel.  “I think he’s starting to be more comfortable on the floor, but more importantly he’s more confident and that’s a direct result of the hard work he’s put in.  His playing time has increased not just because he’s playing better but also because he’s practicing better.  He’s a guy that we feel can affect the game in so many ways not just offensively, but defensively, and hopefully rebounding and those are all things we know he’s going to improve on.”

Dixon has learned a lot from the coaching staff at VCU, on and off the court.  “They’ve taught me to be true to myself and work hard at everything I do: basketball and school,” he said.  “I try to just go hard at everything I do.”

“The thing I like most about is that he wants to be a good player,” added Capel.  “There are guys who say that but aren’t willing to pay the price to do the things necessary to become a good player.  He’s a guy that does that.  He’s usually the first guy in here for practice.  He understands the things he has to work on and he’s very coachable.  He wants to be a part of this.  He’s excited about being at VCU and being a part of something that’s bigger than him.”