Meet Seth Dawson

Seth Dawson is already a 'item' and you are forgiven if the name doesn't ring a basketball bell for those outside of the Sacramento area. The 6-foot-4, 180 Inderkum High sophomore continues to add polish but he has already begun -- 31 points in a 78-77 overtime win against Burbank -- and is going to make much louder noises in the next two and a half seasons.

Having just turned 15, the wide-shouldered lefty offered, "I'd have to say my best skills are my IQ and finding the open man." He first began with basketball while in second grade but it was in seventh grade that he began a serious focus. This despite "people coming at me wanting me to play football." 

Despite residing in California and living earlier in the Bay Area, it's not Kobe or Steph or even Klay he cites as having an impact on his game." James Harden is my biggest basketball influence." Lefties have to stick together although Dawson has no plans to be sprouting a beard anytime soon.

Dawson already uses his body well in shielding off defenders and display a knack for getting opponents off balance with his dribble. That element paid off this past summer in Las Vegas when "I shot a three and it went in with four seconds left in the championship game."

Don Manning-Fuimaono, a longtime Sacramento-area trainer, coach and observer of the area's prep scene offered this analysis of Dawson: "I was introduced to Seth through a mutual friend. From the very first time we worked out, it was evident how naturally gifted he was. He approaches and conducts himself in workouts like a professional. He goes hard on each rep and he pays very close attention to detail. With his size and skill set he's easily one of the top 2019 players in Northern California. As his athleticism improves he could end up a national recruit. He's that talented."

At the most recent Pangos frosh/soph event held in southern California, the under-the-radar Dawson was certainly noticed. His team won the all star game and he earned a spot in the Top 30 Cream of The Crop game. Former NBA and college assistant coach Dave Miller, who was part of the event, made it a point to individually speak to three of the prospects afterwards. He told Dawson how impressed he was by what he saw and "to keep working and progressing and you might be able to play at the highest level." Dawson was also named an all star after participating in another recent event.

Inderkum currently stands 11-5 with primary Tri-County Conference opponents Rio Linda High, Yuba City and River Valley at 15-2, 10-7 and 9-7 respectively, making it appear that plenty of competition awaits the Tigers in the race for the championship.

Dawson is featured in this Nor Cal Fall Showcase video from the 2:10 mark to about 2:35.