Derek Dixon’s a smooth-shooting, playmaking freshman guard who quietly became UNC’s steady engine
In the 2025-26 season, Derek Dixon averaged 6.5 points and led North Carolina with 90 assists while shooting 39.7% from three, which made him one of the Tar Heels’ most reliable perimeter threats and a real tempo-setter[2][6]. His game pops because he’s a big 6-foot-5 guard who can handle point-guard duties, space the floor, and produce late in games—he started UNC’s final 16 contests and showed strong March form, including a 17-point breakout at Duke[2][7]. The wrinkle: he entered the transfer portal after the season, so his fit depends on whether a team wants a ready-made connector with size and shooting who is still on the rise[13].
