When guard Tyler Dorsey stepped foot on campus in 2015, expectations were high for the freshman.
Entering college, Dorsey was the 38th best high school player in the country according to ESPN. He was coming off of a senior year where he put up 34.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game for Marantha High School in Pasadena and helped lead the Greek National team to the semifinals of the U-19 FIBA World Championships the summer after his senior year.
Dorsey was going to be the next great Oregon guard, filling the void that Joe Young left upon graduating earlier in 2015.
So far, Dorsey has met those expectations.
As a freshman, he averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and shot 40 percent from three, en route to being named to the Pac-12’s all freshman team. After Oregon fell to Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament, many feared that Dorsey would leave Oregon for a potential shot at the NBA. Dorsey did declare for the draft — along with Dillon Brooks — but decided to return to college for another shot a national championship.
Now, entering his sophomore year, and with Brooks sidelined indefinitely with a foot injury, Dorsey could be poised for a major breakout season.
Forward Jordan Bell had difficulty putting to words how good Dorsey has become this off-season.
“Tyler, he’s been killing it this summer,” Bell told reporters at Oregon’s media day on Oct. 6. “He’s definitely ready for the next level. He’s just been doing spectacular things lately.”
With the departure of Elgin Cook and Dwayne Benjamin, Oregon is now somewhat shallow in terms of versatile wings. Both Cook and Benjamin could create their own shot and bully their way to the basket. They could also guard almost any position other than centers.
Dorsey has taken it upon himself to attempt to fill that vacancy.
“Knowing that there’s not that 6’6″ strong, ‘get to the basket guy,’ I’ve been trying to put up some weight and work on that part of my game,” Dorsey said.
That was also an aspect of his game that NBA scouts told him to work on. His off-season work has not gone unnoticed.
“He’s improved his ball handling, his stroke is a little more consistent, his footwork is better on his shooting,” Oregon head coach Dana Altman said. “I really hope Tyler takes the step that our coaching staff thinks he will. I’m very excited to see the steps he takes this year.”
Dorsey said that entering the NBA Draft was a “great decision.” He learned what he needed to about his draft stock and the areas of his game to improve if he wants to draw a higher draft selection.
He wants to work on all aspects of his game but has a few areas he’s been working on specifically.
“Efficiency on offense, picking that up. Putting on weight and defensively,” Dorsey said. “Just everything about my game. My ball-handling is going to be very emphasized; I’ve been working on that this off-season.”
As the clock ticks down to Oregon’s first exhibition game, Dorsey still has work to do if he wants to raise his draft stock. Neither nbadraft.net or draftexpress.com have Dorsey on their mock draft boards.
But with the stage set for a breakout season and a deep run by Oregon in the NCAA Tournament, there is plenty of time for that to change.
Follow Gus Morris on Twitter @JustGusMorris