Recruiting Update: Julian Dozier (2019)
With a knack for getting to the rim and possessing the keys to a breakneck, go-go transition game, Julian Dozier’s game mirrors the style enforced by Bella Vista Prep head coach Kyle Weaver.
A Michigan native, the shifty 5-foot-9 guard brings a tenacity and toughness that’s required for a program predicated on guard play. Since all of Weaver’s offensive threats are defenders first, Dozier buys into the wall to wall, non-stop pressure BVP applies.
We caught up with Dozier, who has been a consistent high scorer for a BVA team that boasts a radiant troika with himself, bouncy 6-foot-3 guard Nicolas Elame and 6-foot-6 four star recruit Terry Armstrong of Flint, MI.
We assessed the Class of 2019 Dozier’s recruitment, the West Coast Prep School landscape, and his role piloting this year’s squad.
PH: What has been key to team’s promising start this year? How would you describe the relationship between yourself, Nicolas (Elame) and Terry (Armstrong) being that you guys have taken on some ownership of this program?
JD: A major key to our team has been putting emphasis on defense. This puts us in the spot to be most successful at which we do best, which is transition offense. Myself, Nick, and Terry have played a huge role on and off the court as far as leadership aspects and building the team camaraderie. We make sure everyone is in a position to be at their best.
PH: How would you describe the around the clock devotion to the game at Bella Vista? How much preparation did you put into the season and what kind of player development aspects did you work on during the off-season?
JD: Maybe the most useful thing that we did is 6 a.m. practices. This builds a level of discipline and trust that not all teams in the country have. Special props to our coaches for orchestrating all of that. We also put in extra hours and workout again after school as a team. It is uptempo and it pushes us. We put a lot of preparation into this season, though we’ve only been playing together for about two months.
A key adjustment I’ve been making, player development wise, has been working on my shooting. I can tell my jumper feels and looks better than before. I’ve also been making more shots.
PH: Which programs have offered you a scholarship and who currently is expressing interest?
JD: I hold offers from Eastern Michigan University, Southern Mississippi, and Oakland. My interest has grown a lot this year to Washington, Arizona State, and Cal.
PH: How do you describe your role on this team as a guy who can score the ball but primarily facilitate the offensive attack?
JD: I’ve had to play the role as my team’s leader my whole life. So, it’s nothing new to me. My job is easier now that it would usually be, since I’m playing with such high caliber players. I look at this as what I have to do at the next level, so I might as well do it now.