Throughout the 2024-25 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2025 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, questions, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.
Eric Dixon
Position: Forward/Center
Team: Villanova
Class: Senior
Height/Weight: 6'8", 265 lbs
Birthdate: January 26, 2001
High School: Abington Senior HS (PA)
Player Overview
Eric Dixon is a physical and skilled big man who combines his size, strength, and basketball IQ to impact both ends of the floor consistently. Known for his soft touch in the paint and ability to score through contact, Dixon excels at finding efficient looks within the flow of the offense. His consistent shooting mechanics allow him to stretch the floor effectively as a shooter from mid-range and beyond the arc.
While Dixon’s physicality allows him to outmuscle opponents, his lack of height and explosiveness present challenges, particularly defensively. He relies heavily on positioning and strength rather than verticality or agility to contest shots. As a senior, Dixon has taken on a larger role, showing notable growth in his ability to navigate screens, create space, and contribute as a low-usage but efficient scorer. For Dixon to translate his success to the NBA, improving his switchability on defense and developing passing instincts as a secondary facilitator will be key.
"It feels like I’ve been scouting Dixon forever, but that’s a good thing—he keeps improving. His blend of physicality, interior scoring, and outside shooting is rare and could provide value at the next level." — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst
Strengths
Three-Level Scoring: Capable of scoring efficiently at the rim, mid-range, and beyond the arc.
Physicality: He uses strength and IQ to outwork taller opponents in the paint.
Screening and Off-Ball Movement: Smart screener who moves efficiently to create open looks for himself and teammates.
Shooting Mechanics: Consistent form that should translate well to higher levels of play.
Interior Toughness: Thrives on doing the "dirty work," such as fighting for rebounds and positioning.
Concerns
Undersized for Position: At a listed 6'8", he lacks the ideal height for an NBA big man.
Lack of Explosiveness: Relies on physicality rather than athleticism, which may limit his defensive upside.
Limited Defensive Versatility: Struggles as a switchable defender, particularly against quicker perimeter players.
Passing Instincts: Low usage as a passer limits his ability to impact as a playmaker.
Questions
Is one season of high-level three-point shooting a large enough sample size to warrant a draft pick, considering his age?
Will his lack of height and switchability hinder his defensive effectiveness in the NBA?
Can his physicality remain a strength against NBA-caliber athletes?
Bottom Line
Eric Dixon is a tough, physical big man with a versatile scoring arsenal and a willingness to embrace the "dirty work" on the court. His ability to stretch the floor and score efficiently from all three levels makes him an intriguing option for teams needing a reliable rotational big. However, his lack of size and defensive versatility are areas of concern. If Dixon can continue refining his shooting and improve his defensive impact, he has the tools to carve out a role at the next level, particularly as a floor-spacing big man.