Story co-produced with Kam Gibson.
Carlos Dotson goes up for a layup against Mercer in the first round of the SOCON Tournament in 2020. Photo courtesy of Catamount Athletics.
“Carlos is a driven competitor that is eager to prove people wrong. I think he was told for a long time the things that he was not capable of, and worked tirelessly to show that it was not the case,” said Mark Prosser, current head coach of Men’s basketball at WCU.
Carlos Dotson, former forward at Western Carolina, officially began his professional journey on Oct. 6, 2020, when he signed his first professional contract with JSA Bordeaux, a professional basketball team located in Bordeaux, France.
While Dotson showcased his abilities at the professional and collegiate level, the Riverdale, Maryland native has been overlooked most of his life.
Dotson graduated from Western Carolina in May. During Dotson’s final year in the catamount purple and gold, he earned Lou Henson All-American honors as well as first-team All SOCON and first-team All Tournament. Averaging 15.5 points per game as well as 9.7 rebounds per game in the regular season, and was tied for 7th nationally in double-doubles.
It has not always been trophies and fame for the 6’7 forward from Dorman High School. Similar to the great Michael Jordan, Dotson did not make the team his freshman year and only used the denial as fuel to better himself. Rather than quit he decided to change the course of his life. His work ethic and determination led Dotson to making the varsity roster every year until he graduated. As a senior at Dorman, Dotson was a pivotal factor in leading the Cavaliers to a 20-5 record averaging 13 points per game and 10 rebounds per game. Dotson also earned all-region honors twice, first-team all area and an all-state selection. Despite his high school success, Dotson had no Division I offers out of high school.
In an interview with Jamie Shaw, regarding the lack of DI interest, Dotson said, “I am an undersized big. I guess teams thought I could not compete at the Division I level…my numbers were there.”
With no division I offers, Dotson decided to take his talents to Anderson University. Anderson University is a small, private institution in Anderson, South Carolina that competes at the Division II level in the NCAA. Dotson only made four appearances at Anderson where he averaged 2 ppg and 1.3 rpg.
Ultimately, Dotson decided to bet on himself and transfer away from Anderson. “I transferred so I can get to the highest possible level…I wanted to play Division I,” said Dotson in an email interview.
He decided to transfer to Central Florida Community College and attempt to earn his Division I offer. While at CFCC, Dotson displayed his DI talent, averaging over 13 ppg and almost 8 rebounds. His performance at CFCC caught the attention of Coach Mark Prosser, who took over the reigns of the basketball program at WCU in 2018.
“Coach Prosser had been following my career since 10th grade…I knew wherever he was, that was where I wanted to go,” said Dotson. So when Mark Prosser was hired as the WCU head coach, Dotson knew he was headed to Cullowhee given the opportunity.
Dotson’s first season in Cullowhee was nothing short of disappointment. Despite his individual success, averaging almost 14 points per game, 10 rebounds with third-team all conference honors, the team only could muster seven wins. Dotson kept the faith heading into his senior season playing a pivotal role in their 19 win season, ultimately falling short to eventual SOCON tournament champs, East Tennessee State.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, in person classes were suspended and Dotson was able to get a head start on his professional career. In May of 2020, Dotson headed to California to begin this process by working out with personal trainers and other basketball players. Most notably, Dotson got the opportunity to workout with Golden State Warriors forward, Draymond Green.
Dotson recounts the workout with the NBA star, saying “it was very cool working with him. He is such a great talent, I had to make the best of the opportunity.”
Dotson was only able to enjoy the professional life for six games prior to the French government undergoing another nationwide lockdown and postponing the season due to a national spike in coronavirus cases. In six games, Dotson averaged over 7 points and 3 rebounds per game on 22 minutes.
Dotson is currently back stateside waiting for the French league to resume at an unknown date. See what Dotson said about his experience from California and France.
