Imagine a college basketball star, once hailed as a preseason all-conference standout, suddenly disappearing from the spotlight. That’s the story of Reese Dixon-Waters, a player who’s undergone more than just a name change. Two seasons ago, he was Reese Waters, a 6-foot-6 guard donning the number 14. Fast forward to today, and he’s Reese Dixon-Waters, standing at 6-foot-5, wearing number 39, and carrying a transformed mindset. But here’s where it gets controversial: San Diego State’s decision to list players’ more accurate heights has seemingly ‘shrunk’ him by an inch—a detail that sparks debates about transparency in college sports. Yet, the real story isn’t about his height; it’s about his resilience. Dixon-Waters endured the toughest year of his life, sidelined by a stress fracture in his right foot—an injury that heals excruciatingly slow. And this is the part most people miss: his refuge, basketball, was taken away, leaving him grappling with personal struggles he’d never faced before.
In a candid interview, Dixon-Waters revealed, ‘Basketball was my escape. When I couldn’t play, everything in my personal life started crumbling.’ His love for the game is pure—he’d play for free, without chasing fame or fortune. But last year, as the Aztecs buzzed with excitement over NBA prospects like Miles Byrd and Magoon Gwath, Dixon-Waters became the forgotten man. Bold statement? This team’s success might hinge more on his return than anyone realizes. Two years ago, he was the perimeter yin to Jaedon LeDee’s interior yang, shining in a signature win against Gonzaga with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Now, after a year of healing—both physically and mentally—he’s back, and coach Brian Dutcher believes he’s better than ever.
But Dixon-Waters’ journey isn’t just about basketball. It’s about self-discovery. He admits to being selfish during his recovery, withdrawing from loved ones and even pushing them away. ‘I ruined a lot of relationships,’ he reflects. Yet, his generosity remains—he still gives away his sneakers to kids, a habit rooted in a childhood memory of an NBA player denying him the same kindness. Thought-provoking question: Is it selfless or self-sabotaging to give so much of yourself while struggling internally? His decision to reclaim his hyphenated last name, Dixon-Waters, symbolizes an exorcism of past demons, acknowledging his biological father’s role in his story despite their estrangement. Even his new jersey number, 39, is a nod to simpler times—his teenage address, where his love for basketball blossomed.
As a sixth-year senior, Dixon-Waters is a veteran presence, a leader on and off the court. But will he reclaim his spot in the spotlight? With the Mountain West preseason awards approaching, he’s likely to be overlooked due to recency bias. ‘Does it bother me? As a competitor, yeah,’ he admits. Yet, he’s unfazed by social media chatter or public opinion. ‘I’m just gonna play,’ he declares. Final question for you: Is Reese Dixon-Waters the comeback story college basketball needs, or is his best chapter yet to be written? Let’s discuss in the comments.
