Aggies Coach Buzz Williams Says Heartfelt "Thank You" to Dexter Dennis
With each one of his teammates' hands resting on his shoulders, graduate guard Dexter Dennis sat in the center of the Texas A&M locker room at Wells Fargo Arena while Buzz Williams prayed over him.
The Aggies had just lost their most disappointing game of the season, falling 76-59 to Penn State in round one of the NCAA tournament to end their historic season.
The locker room was in disbelief, and while Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams knew that he would have plenty of time to debrief the loss, refocus for the offseason and comfort his players, he made sure to address one thing first:
Dennis had played his last game for the Maroon and White.
"Thank you for [Dexter's] decision nine months ago to come here," Williams prayed aloud. "Thank you for the impact he's had on our program."
Though No. 0's career with the Aggies came to an early close, his impact in College Station was filled with memorable moments that left no doubts about his talent or his meaningful presence in the locker room.
Whether it was Dennis' effort that was unlike anything Williams "had ever seen", his outstanding listening ability or the level of maturity he played with, Williams kept it simple regarding what the transfer guard had done for Texas A&M:
But before Dennis became the reliable guard he was for the breakout Aggies this season, he was a high-schooler from Louisiana.
Dennis began his basketball career at Southern University Lab School in Louisiana, where he made an instant impact on his team.
In the three seasons he spent there, he earned multiple All-state honors and led his team to a district title before moving to play for Baker High School for his final high school season, where Dennis led his team once again to a district run that was stopped short in the quarterfinals.
Despite that, Dennis had already done enough to play at the next level — committing and playing four seasons for Wichita State during his undergraduate years.
For the Shockers, Dennis averaged close to nine points and five rebounds, but his team never made it into the NCAA tournament.
His senior year, the Shockers had their worst season since his arrival, and Dennis' collegiate basketball was potentially over.
Until his tenure with the Aggies began.
In just one season with the Aggies, Dennis provided a different kind of leadership to his team. Though he notched the best rebounding totals of his career and second-best scoring totals, his off-court impact was what made his season special.
"This season for me was a great experience," Dennis said. "Looking back on my five-year college career, this was my best year from front to back. Not just [on the court], but off the court. Being an Aggie was my best year ... this was the most fun I've ever had."
"[It was special] being around a group of guys who just love to work, and who love the process," he added.
Dennis was a part of a Texas A&M team that defied all odds, especially after its subpar start to non-conference — the nadir coming during the Aggies' only home loss against Wofford five days before Christmas.
But alongside the team's leading scorer, Wade Taylor IV and the AP's SEC Co-Coach of the Year in Williams, Dennis and company made a historic SEC run, including earning the best start and tying the most conference wins in program history.
Dennis was essential to that.
"Thank you that he was a part of history at Texas A&M," Williams prayed. "Thank you that his name is in the book for going 15-3 [in conference play] ... for being in the championship game ... for going to the NCAA tournament."
Even though the graduate is set to leave Texas A&M basketball, however, his home in College Station remains, and whatever comes next for Dennis will be a product of what Williams said his team learned throughout the year.
"Thank you for the lessons that have come from all of this," he prayed. "[They] will help our lives as players and coaches, but most importantly as men."
As the Aggies continue to build upon their program, especially after a season where they proved their ability to win against any opponent, they will continue to rely on each other and on what Williams is building in College Station ahead of his fifth season with the team.
"We will look back at what has transpired over the last 75 days with great memories," Williams said. "I think it speaks to who these guys are ... what transpired to get here has been really good, and I'm incredibly humbled and thankful."
But with an essential piece of his team leaving next season, Williams will need to regroup, having just one final message for Dennis and his teammates on the season:
"Thank you so much. I love each one of you."
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