Austin Dewes is UC Merced’s 6'10" defensive anchor with elite shot-blocking upside
Austin Dewes is a junior forward for UC Merced in the 2025-26 season, and his calling card is rim protection: he’s already sixth in program history with 48 career blocks and earned Cal Pac Defensive Player of the Week honors in 2024. The Bobcats’ own notes and game coverage highlight his ability to swing possessions with blocks—he even posted a career-high-tying four blocks in a 2026 game—while his earlier high school production (15 points, 10 rebounds, 2.6 blocks per game) suggests useful two-way upside. He looks like a fit for teams needing length, defense, and a high-motor frontcourt presence.
