6’7” 2019 Imajae Dodd
Greene Central (Snow Hill, NC)

The state of North Carolina has taken on the moniker of the Hoop State, this name fits for multiple reason most notably the past and the future. Many basketball greats played their high school basketball in North Carolina, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Steph Curry, James Worthy, Chris Paul, John Wall and many many others. The future of basketball is very rich in the Hoop State as well, looking at current 5-star prospects Jalen Lecque, Joey Baker, Wendell Moore, Jaden Springer, Carter Whitt, Carson McCorkle and the list growing every day.

In looking at the current landscape of North Carolina basketball it is rich. With that said, on the very short list of most exciting players currently playing high school basketball in the Hoop State is Greene Central junior Imajae Dodd. The 6’7” forward is a high light film waiting to happen, at least once per game he is going to drop your jaw with a put back or flush it on someone as he attacks downhill from the high post.

After watching him throughout last year, we did a season ending piece on Dodd…In that piece we wrote, Dodd is a tough rebounder and defender. He is tenacious in the paint, taking every defensive possession seriously. He has great timing on defense, sending shots back with great timing and surprising explosion. Offensively, he has a full bag of tricks. He has the ability to face up and put the ball on the floor. When his feet are set, he has touch out to 18 feet, after setting jarring screens. On the block, Dodd has incredible hands to go along with footwork and patience to score consistently.”

Even though he carries six offers from the likes of East Carolina, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion, Wofford and Tulane. However, he plays in an area that is lightly treaded by college coaches. On the spot, watching Dodd for the first time Coastal Carolina and Charlotte offered Dodd. It is an easy offer for a player like him. He is incredibly skilled and very talented for a player so strong and so incredibly explosive.

What turns your head the most about Dodd is the mean streak he plays with. For most of his games, he is the best player on the floor, with that said, he wants you to know that he’s the best player out there. There is an incredible chip on his shoulder, that shows him wanting to grab every rebound, block every shot or dunk every ball within 5 feet of the rim.

Last season Dodd led his Greene Central team to the best record in school history. They went 26-2 and made a run all the way to the NCHSAA Eastern Finals and state Final 4. Dodd was the clear leader of the team as he averaged a double/double to go with a handful of blocked shots. Remind you those numbers were as a sophomore.

As with many of the best players in North Carolina, Dodd is an attendee of the prestigious North Carolina Top 80 camp. After his performance in the 2017 camp we wrote, “Dodd is a freak type of athlete. He blocks shots and finishes well above the rim and plays with a nasty streak that allows him to get to a lot of those balls. He carries good footwork in the post and great hands and touch. Dodd carries multiple D1 offers and as clear upside to continue improving rapidly.”

Sure coming out for his junior season Dodd will have a bigger target on his back, but there is no surprise Dodd is ready for that. Look for the possibility of him to push 28 points, 15 boards and 5 blocks per game this year. Astronomical numbers, sure…but Dodd is a player who does things that the viewer just doesn’t expect.

 

**Sophomore Highlight video via Bucket Reel

Tag(s): Phenom Player Reports  Phenom’s Feast of Champ  Recruiting News