Eric Dixon heads to the 2025 NBA Draft after closing out one of the most storied careers in Villanova history. Measuring 6-7.5 (without shoes) with an almost 7-foot wingspan and 258 pounds, Dixon combines the physicality of a classic big with the floor-spacing prowess of a modern four. Likely a small-ball five or scoring forward at the next level, he can put the rock on the floor, attack off the dribble, and kickstart the break after grabbing a board.
Dixon’s steady rise over five seasons was built on relentless work and adaptability. He went from reserve to Villanova’s all-time leading scorer, averaging a nation-best 23.3 points as a senior and racking up 2,314 points across 162 games.
On the floor, Dixon’s a pick-and-pop threat and interior bruiser, using his footwork and strength to punish mismatches. He kept defenses honest by firing over seven threes per game, hit 40.7 percent from deep in his final year, and showed high IQ as a screener and playmaker. Defensively, he brings a strong base – maybe the most muscular thighs known to man since Hercules – boxing out, contesting shots, and carving space in the paint.
Off the court, Dixon is lauded for his humility and leadership – qualities that fit Villanova’s reputation for developing NBA-ready pros with strong locker room presence.
Dixon sat down with HoopsHype to discuss his journey which hecredits the Villanova culture, his family, and mentors like Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges for molding his pro-ready approach and unlocking his inside-out skill set.
Eric Dixon: For me, it’s just one of those things where hard work and opportunity came together. I didn’t just start shooting threes and handling the ball this summer. I’ve always been working on it. Credit to my trainers and my family for always pushing me and keeping me ready. When this last summer came around, I talked to Coach a lot about the personnel we could bring in and what we could have. He told me, “If you bring someone in, make sure it’s off the goal board, don’t turn the ball over, be consistent out there, and guard at the first level.” I said, “We’ll give it a chance.” He gave it a chance, and then I had to see what was going on. We made a few shots, had a few good games, and thought, “Okay, this actually works.” You can get guys to the next level and play from there. But I was always working on my game. We’re always building.
ED: I’m always a confident guy and have always been a hard worker. I was confident in what would show, that everything would come through. It was just a matter of luck.
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ED: It’s crazy, hard to believe. When I came in, I would have never guessed I’d be in the record books in the spots that I am, but it’s nice. When I think of those records, I think of the people there, the guys who helped me get there. It hasn’t been smooth the entire time. When I was 19, coming out of my freshman year, I wouldn’t have believed you if you told me where I’d end up. For me, it’s a testament to the program and to our family.
ED: It’s been great. I have a great support system and circle. My family – my mom and dad – came to LA again for the last two or three years. My best friend, some close people from my high school, principals, counselors, and teachers have all supported me. It’s been everything I could ask for. The first two years started off a little rocky, being close to home. When my family came, I wanted them to see me grow and play, but instead they saw me struggle a bit as I tried new things. Still, I grew. My last four years were great. They came out, supported me, and showed me love. I appreciate it.
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ED: For me, it still feels early. Once I’ve gotten a lot of feedback, I’d just say it feels completely different. For starters, I’m here. I’m at the Combine. Some of it really comes down to the fact that not everyone saw it in me as a prospect. I was often viewed as undersized or not athletic enough. Coming out of this year, being close to my coaching staff gave me a chance to change my game and show a different side of what I can do and who I can be. The level of seriousness around me as a player is definitely different this year, and the opportunities I’m getting feel much bigger. I’m really optimistic about being here and about this opportunity.
ED: I wouldn’t say there was anything wrong. It never really mattered. [laughter] I never went to a game like, I’m undersized. [laughter] I just went with it.
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ED: I’ve been a forward my whole life. My dad trusted my skills, trusted me to shoot, but also trusted my post game and footwork. Just the basics –starting off with a head fake and a drop step – and then you build on that. It all just stacks together over time. I’ve always worked with coaches. Since I was eight or nine, this has been normal for me. Especially playing in sixth and seventh grade, that elbow spot was my area. Learning how to score in those tight spaces made me really effective there. I had some great trainers in high school who saw the potential in me, and as I got bigger and stronger, people wanted to help me develop. Pretty much every day, I just worked on it day-to-day, focusing on fitness, tough shots, and skills like that.
ED: It’s definitely matchup to matchup, and I play based on feel. I have moves I like to use from certain spots on the floor, and I normally have a plan when I get the ball.
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ED: Day one, I bring intelligence, toughness, and the ability to connect on both sides of the floor. One thing that stands out is my screening ability and my knack for helping teammates get open. I played with a lot of great guards in college last season, like Justin [Moore] and others. I took pride in getting those guys shots, and when they got hot, you couldn’t stop them. Defenders had to respect my ability to shoot, too. In my junior year, I didn’t shoot a lot, but when I did, I was open – defenses focused on everyone else, but I made my shots. That’s something I bring – connecting the team and making smart plays.
ED: This year, we had a lot more structure to our sets, but for most of my career, I’ve played more of a free-flowing game. I think it’ll come pretty naturally. Most of my moves are go-to’s and counters. If the defense takes away my first option, I have a counter ready. I think that describes my game well.
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ED: That’s something I’ll bring to the table. We switched a lot at Nova, and it’s something we worked on constantly. I’m comfortable guarding all positions, from point guards to centers. My body type and the way I think about the game allow me to do that. Guarding threes, fours, and fives isn’t new to me. I’m excited for the challenge and to go up against the best in the world. I’m ready to step up.
ED: I think it’s the culture. That’s the reason I went there. Coming out of high school, I knew I needed to learn a lot about being a professional – being on time, how to eat, how to live, how to work. You learn all those things there. We learn how to treat people, how to talk to people, and a lot about manhood. That’s just what they focus on. The basketball is great, but it’s almost secondary. The kind of men they create and produce is what makes it special, and that’s why so many of those guys succeed.
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ED: For me, it’s great for the brand. The best part is seeing those guys come back. I’ve had a pretty good relationship with Mikal and JB. It’s nice to see them succeed. They come back, they’re part of the brotherhood, and you want to see your brothers do well. Seeing them have success is a big boost for the brand and the program. That stuff is great, but it’s even better to see people I’ve watched work hard succeed. I remember being around Mikal last summer and seeing how much he worked on his game, and then watching him hit those shots in a game. It’s fun to see that hard work pay off. I remember being around JB after he signed with the Knicks, just seeing how excited he was and ready to prove people wrong. Watching him do it has been great.
ED: I wouldn’t say it’s impacted my game much. It’s impacted me more as a person, as a man. Guys like that come back to your school and spend time talking to you. Basketball is what everyone thinks about, but it’s only secondary. It’s really about the kind of people they are. One thing I always notice is that bad people usually don’t make it, and all those guys are good people. Their intentions are always genuine. In conversations, you can tell how well they connect and how they treat others. That’s part of the foundation there.
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ED: Not all good people succeed at the highest level, but there aren’t a lot of bad people at the top. Being a good person really matters. Having the right intentions in whatever you do is important. Show up, be on time, be respectful, shake hands, look the part, look at people in the eyes when they talk to you and do the little things – like giving someone a t-shirt or making them feel welcome. When I came to high school, I needed all those lessons and that discipline. Time matters, and it’s about the small things. Nothing crazy, but those little things make a difference. At this level, everyone’s talented. It’s the little things that separate you.
ED: I don’t know where he got it from or who called it that. When I was there, I was just focused on doing the right thing. I really don’t know what’s off. It’s kind of cool watching his role in terms of his leadership and his ability to communicate what he was seeing and experiencing. He made a few changes, especially in the last three years.
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ED: It was definitely a surprise to watch that happen live, but he earned it. He deserved it. As a coach, he watched film and spent time with us on the board. It didn’t feel real at first, but I had been preparing for that transition for a while. We all knew Kyle Neptune had a successful year at Fordham. When he came in, he tested us, and we didn’t really miss a beat. The program kept moving forward, and we adapted to what we were doing. It was a transition and things were different, but it wasn’t too bad.
