NCAA Basketball: 10 best players from state of New Mexico of last decade

8. John Dawson – Marquette / Liberty

For this 6’2 guard from Clovis it was all about the fit, and he certainly didn’t find that fit until after he transferred. Dawson had an impressive high school career and committed to Marquette under Buzz Williams, but barely found minutes with the Golden Eagles, especially after a coaching change. Dawson then transferred to Liberty, where he played a vital role for the Flames and actually saw legitimate time on the court.

As mentioned, his opportunities at Marquette were limited, though he did score 12 points in a win over Georgetown. After playing just four minutes as a sophomore, he transferred midseason, resuming his career at Liberty in the middle of his junior season. He came on strong with the Flames, scoring in double-figures in 13 of his first 14 games. He’d average 13.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in that slightly shortened junior year and helped Liberty to a 21-win season as a senior.

After being an afterthought with the Golden Eagles in the Big East, Dawson found his place at Liberty, contributing on a Liberty program that was in the beginning stages of a run of success. Dawson didn’t win any fancy awards or set any records during that stretch, but he rated as a very solid defensive player in the Big South and was also among the league leaders in rebounding and 3-point shooting. Dawson spent some time in the G-League, continuing to play basketball at a professional level.