By Thomas Grant Jr.
Before helping the University of South Carolina men’s basketball team make the Final Four and playing seven seasons in the NBA, P.J. Dozier was a Spring Valley Viking.
Averaging 20 points a game, Dozier earned McDonald’s All-American and 5-star prospect status. He was also named Mr. South Carolina Basketball and the state Player of the Year as a senior
On July 30, Dozier returned to his high school alma mater. Spring Valley held a ceremony to honor him and retire his basketball jersey.
“It means the world being able to share this honor with close friends, family, loved ones, supporters” he said. “It definitely hit home just being here seeing all of the familiar faces of people who have been here since Day One.”
Following in the footsteps of father Perry, uncle Terry, and sister Asia, PJ signed with the Gamecocks out of high school.
In two seasons at South Carolina, Dozier averaged 10.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. During the 2017 NCAA tournament season, Dozier averaged 15.6 points per game and shot better than 50 percent from the field.
Dozier earned a spot on the 2016-2017 SEC Community Service Team for his off-court efforts around his Columbia community. He also became one of just a handful of Gamecocks ever to score at least 500 points, while dishing out more than 100 assists.
Dozier currently plays professional basketball in Turkey.
Photos by Richland School District Two
