Of all of Maryland's local athletes, few have had to overcome more in their life to get where they are today than Juan Dixon. The story of Juan Dixon's upbringing is truely tragic, yet inspirational.
Dixon was born in Baltimore on October 9th, 1978. As a teenager, Dixon had to deal with two, herion addicted parents. Despite that, he became a standout athlete. At Calvert Hall High School, he set a school record with 1,590 career points under the tutelage of legendary Baltimore Catholic League coach Mark Amatucci.
At the age of 16, both of his parents died of AIDS-Related illnesses. He was then raised by his grandparents Roberta and Warnick Graves, who also reside in Baltimore.
Dixon went on to receive a full-athletic scholarship from the University of Maryland. After sitting on the bench behind other local product Steve Francis (Silver Spring, Maryland), he began his historic career as a Terrapin. He went on to pass Len Bias as Maryland's all time leading scorer with 2,149 points. He also became the only player in NCAA history to accumulate 2,000 points, 300 steals and 200 three-point field goals. He led the Terps to their first NCAA Championship in 2002, defeating Indiana in the title game. He was named he Final Four's Most Outstanding Player and the Atlantic Coast Conference's Player of the Year.
In June 2002, he was drafted with the 17th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, which allowed him to stay in the area. Dixon has since been traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and then to the Toronto Raptors, yet his mark in Maryland remains strong.
Dixon's story has been an inspirational one to not only Marylanders, but people all over the country. He is the true ipidomy of strength and bravery. I am proud to call him a Maryland native.
Oh and by the way, want to know just how 'Maryland' Juan Dixon is? His brother, Phil, an All-American point guard at Shenandoah University is now a Baltimore police officer. His aunt Sheila Dixon is currently the Major of Baltimore city.
Dixon was born in Baltimore on October 9th, 1978. As a teenager, Dixon had to deal with two, herion addicted parents. Despite that, he became a standout athlete. At Calvert Hall High School, he set a school record with 1,590 career points under the tutelage of legendary Baltimore Catholic League coach Mark Amatucci.
At the age of 16, both of his parents died of AIDS-Related illnesses. He was then raised by his grandparents Roberta and Warnick Graves, who also reside in Baltimore.
Dixon went on to receive a full-athletic scholarship from the University of Maryland. After sitting on the bench behind other local product Steve Francis (Silver Spring, Maryland), he began his historic career as a Terrapin. He went on to pass Len Bias as Maryland's all time leading scorer with 2,149 points. He also became the only player in NCAA history to accumulate 2,000 points, 300 steals and 200 three-point field goals. He led the Terps to their first NCAA Championship in 2002, defeating Indiana in the title game. He was named he Final Four's Most Outstanding Player and the Atlantic Coast Conference's Player of the Year.
In June 2002, he was drafted with the 17th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, which allowed him to stay in the area. Dixon has since been traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and then to the Toronto Raptors, yet his mark in Maryland remains strong.
Dixon's story has been an inspirational one to not only Marylanders, but people all over the country. He is the true ipidomy of strength and bravery. I am proud to call him a Maryland native.
Oh and by the way, want to know just how 'Maryland' Juan Dixon is? His brother, Phil, an All-American point guard at Shenandoah University is now a Baltimore police officer. His aunt Sheila Dixon is currently the Major of Baltimore city.
