Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Recruiting: P.J. Dozier is Bouncing Back

Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

P.J. Dozier, a highly talented and sought after recruit in the Class of 2015, has returned from surgery on his meniscus.  And returned well.

Dozier had surgery to repair his meniscus last September and missed the entire 2013-2014 season.  He has now recovered from the surgery and has led his AAU team, the Upward Stars, through their first two games at the Nike Memorial Classic.  “So far, so good,” Dozier told SNY.tv. “All of the doctors say that you come back way more explosive than you were before, I definitely feel like that’s true. My goal is just to stay healthy.”

Dozier is a 6’7″ point guard from Columbia, South Carolina and is rated by ESPN as a five-star recruit.  He is also ranked by ESPN as the No. 1 point guard and as the No. 17 overall player in the Class of 2015.  Luckily for him, all of the schools that were recruiting him before his surgery are still on board and recruiting him.

He is still currently being pursued by Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio State, South Carolina, and Wichita State, among others.

Feb 23, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; A row of banners hang in Rupp Arena before the game against the Kentucky Wildcats and the Missouri Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

With being from South Carolina and his father having played at the University of South Carolina, there has been some pressure for P.J. to stay in state.  “It’s going to come down where he wants to go,” Dozier Sr. said. “He has to chose where he wants to go, academically and athletically.”

Dozier’s recruitment process will likely continue through 2014 and into 2015.  This is because he has not yet taken any official visits to any schools that he is interested in.  Finding time to visit schools will likely take several months.  Then, making his decision of where to attend college could understandably take quite a bit of time as well.

The scouting report on Dozier says that he is a highly capable offensive weapon.  He can hit from mid-range, three-point land, and push the tempo and get to the rim as well.  For a point guard, his length is extraordinary and could make him a great defensive weapon.