Glenn Elrod
GamecockCentral.com
AIKEN -- The name Dozier and South Carolina basketball go hand in hand. Twin brothers Perry and Terry both were members of the Gamecock basketball team in the 1980's and are now high school coaches in Columbia. Asia Dozier, daughter of Perry, will begin her journey playing for Dawn Staley this coming season after finishing up a celebrated four year high school career.
The gifted family genes, however, don't stop there. Enter Perry "P.J." Dozier; rising sophomore at Spring Valley High School in Columbia.
"I'm a 6-foot-4 point guard," Dozier told Gamecock Central this week at the Peach State AAU basketball tournament in Aiken. "I try to get my teammates involved in the game and make everyone better. I can score too when I need to. I really try to have an all-around game and not be limited."
Dozier, a member of the class of 2015, plays the game with the poise of a player much older than someone his age. That characteristic can be attributed to growing up in a talented family and having a basketball in his hands since he was a little kid.
"I've been playing for a really long time," he stated. "I never played with my age group; I've always played up with people older than me, so I guess that's why my game is a little more mature."
His high basketball IQ and advanced skill set have made him a hot commodity among college coaches and recruiting analysts this summer. But despite all the early attention, Dozier is taking things one day at a time and focusing his current efforts on winning.
"I haven't really thought about college yet," he said calmly. "I'm not exactly sure about all the schools that are recruiting me. I don't even worry about that. I'm just out here having fun now. We're playing against some pretty good teams this summer. We don't back down from a challenge or let up. We play all the way to the end."
Dozier recently watched his older sister Asia go through the hectic recruiting process, and he's listening to what she has to tell him about one day selecting a college to attend.
"My sister was in the same position pretty much," he said. "She gives me pointers here and there about things. She always tells me to go to a program that fits me."
Most colleges in the southeast are already aware of Dozier, and if not, they will be after this month on the AAU circuit. Both in-state universities have thoroughly evaluated and expressed strong interest in the rising sophomore the past few weeks. Dozier shared a few thoughts on the Gamecocks and Tigers:
"I've met a couple of the coaches at South Carolina but I haven't had a chance to meet Frank Martin yet," he said. "I hope I can one day soon. I know a lot about Frank Martin, though. They say he's Bob Knight junior. That says it all right there."
"With Clemson, I like their school too," he said. "They are always back and forth competing against South Carolina. They are doing some good things with their basketball program."
When on the court, Dozier models his game after NBA all-star Kevin Durant.
"I just like him because he's a real tall and slim guard like me," Dozier said. "I might end up around 6-foot-7 or 6-foot-8 and I can handle the ball well, so that's why I like him. I'm trying to hit the weights. Hopefully I can fill out some and keep adding to my game."
If he continues to add to his game, the sky is the limit for the next Dozier in a long line of family talent.
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