Tamecka Dixon played her college ball at the University of Kansas from 1993 to 1997. In her freshman year, she only averaged 6.8 points per game; the next season, she upped her points per game to 11.3 on 47% shooting from the field and 35.7% from three-point land.
Kansas
In Dixon’s last two seasons at Kansas, she started coming into her own; as a junior, she averaged 17 points per game. As a senior Dixon had her best season as a Jayhawk, she averaged 20.8 points 5.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. Also, Dixon won Big 12 player of the year and was named to the Kodak All-American team. In college, Dixon showed constant improvement, which paved her way to getting drafted in the WNBA.
WNBA
The Los Angeles drafted Tamecka Dixon in the second round with the 14th pick in the 1997 WNBA Draft. Dixon joined a team full of veteran players, players like Lisa Leslie and Penny Toler. Dixon was eager to learn from the veterans, and Toler took quick notice of Dixon’s work ethic and willingness to improve her game.
As a rookie, Dixon averaged 11.9 points and1.8 steals per game. Also, she shot 45% from the field. In her second year, she averaged 16.2 points per game. The Sparks struggled in their early years, but in 2001 and 2002, they won back to back WNBA titles, and Dixon was a pivotal piece to them winning. In 2001, Dixon made the first of her three straight all-star teams. Dixon was a player that played hard on both sides of the floor; she did whatever the team need to get the win.
Dixon’s last season with the Sparks was in 2005 before she signed with the Houston Comets. Dixon played three seasons in Houston, and in 2007 she averaged 12 points per game for the Comets coming off the bench.
In 2009, Dixon joined Indiana Fever and came off the bench providing veteran leadership to help the Fever make to the WNBA Finals. The Fever lost to the Phoenix Mercury in five games in the WNBA Finals. After the 2009 season, Dixon retired from the WNBA.
Dixon finished her WNBA career, a three-time All-Star, and a two-time WNBA champion. She also made the All-WNBA Second Team in 2001. Dixon is a real example of hard work paying off, she got better every year and college and continued that growth in the WNBA. Her work ethic and willingness to improve helped shape her as a player.
