Last Friday night after the Aztecs fell to the Bruins in their season opening exhibition match, there was one thing Coach Brian Dutcher & staff got plenty of—game film to study. Real, actual, against a formidable opponent, game film to analyze their weak spots.
The bad that they’ll see—the obvious 17-0 opening run by UCLA. The good they will build upon—the Aztecs battling back through the rest of the game to get very close—within single digits close.
The general difference was that SDSU began to defend much better and cut down on their own turnovers. They bowed their back, put their head down, and then they went to work. And then Reese Dixon-Waters went to work.
It was a total team effort to get back into the game, but it was clear the Aztecs got the ball into the hands of the only player voted last year’s preseason all conference 1st team. That was before Reese Dixon-Waters’ unfortunate stress fracture injury ruled him out and he officially missed all of the 2024-2025 basketball season.
When he returned for the first time on the Viejas Arena floor with his teammates in over a years time, it was against real competition and in front of a real crowd. Final game score results aside, the final game results for his return were very exciting.
“Yeah, it was a lot of fun to play. To finally be back with some of the guys from last year and all the new guys.”
A lot can change in a year. Everything looks different on Reese, from his jersey number now at #39, to his long locks of hair, long baggy shorts & jersey, even his oversized under t-shirt. But what remained looking very familiar was his smooth, shooting stroke and laser sharp ability to make plays.
“Like I said, the game was easier for me because I had to sit out and watch last year.” Reese’s 19 points led the team in his first game back. In addition to the fade away jumpers and the knocking down of three pointers, he also found his open teammates. After heating up he effectively distributed the ball around, making the team better as they began putting the Bruins back on their heels.
“As fun as it was … I still wanted to win the game. So, it’s cool that I had a team high, but I don’t really care because we didn’t win—even though it’s a scrimmage. But, yeah it was fun though.”
That leadership and mature voice on and off the court should be a valuable resource for the Aztecs this promising season. It was a characteristic the National Championship runner-up Aztecs had in abundance back in 2023. This year Dixon-Waters, Miles Byrd, and several others represent that true veteran leadership.
A first game back to a team without two of it’s top-3 NBA prospect talents to start the game shouldn’t be that much of a mystery to see why the game began just a little out of rhythm. Coach Dutcher recognized the steps Reese took to make the comeback much more attainable.
“He’s an extremely talented player and the reason he was picked preseason first team all-conference a year ago and should be right in that range again this year.” Dutcher replied when asked what he learned from observing Reese after his strong performance.
“And the thing is I thought he didn’t press his game too hard. I thought he let it come to him. He played his game and Reese is at his best when he lets the game come to him. When he starts pressing then he’s not at his best. So I thought he let most of the game come to him … He got off things, he moved the ball, and then when he found opportunities, he took advantage of them.”
No matter how Reese is able to get the game to come to him, the Aztecs are going to need him to be that guy and more this season. For as talented and deep as this young SDSU team is, that clutch ‘get a bucket’ when your team is in a drought type of player was a big void at times last season.
“Yeah, I mean, Reese is a shot maker,” Dutcher added. “So he’s got to continue to develop his game. He’s not at his best yet. He’s got another level he can get to and so does Taj and so does our whole team. So they can’t sit there and go, “Well, I scored this many points. I’ve arrived.” He’s got to get better. I told him the second shot of the second half when he fumbled it and shot a step back. I didn’t think that was particularly a good shot, even though he had just made one. You know, get off that one and come up and move and get get the next one.”
A year off the court was tough and the time is now his to take that next step Dutcher speaks of. For one final moment at the end of the game Friday night, it almost appeared as if that next step was headed towards disaster and a screeching hault.
The entire arena’s collective heart jumped up into their throats as Reese fell to the ground in the game’s final seconds. Reese would stumble awkwardly on the court and stayed there for several moments trying to collect himself. Re-aggravating the leg injury was the first thing that crossed everyone’s mind.
Waters with the aid of team trainer Sergio Ibarra was momentarily checked out and limped back to the bench in obvious discomfort. Once there he let out a brief shakey smile to the crowd as if to say everything is alright, just a scare. It was the longest feeling pause to the action on a night that had a few awkward pauses by the officials.
Gladly it was a false alarm and confirmed by Waters in the post game that it was nothing serious.
“Yeah, I just cramped. Yeah, I’m good—Yeah, I’m good.”
Great news for such a likable player on this year’s squad.
With all the hype attached to the program and expectations of a big season, nobody deserves their one shining moment more than Reese Dixon-Waters. It’s his time to show his well rounded game and the impact he can add being back out there on a team loaded with star potential. It’s his time that boils down to this one final season.
“Everyone’s got room to grow, including Reese,” continued Coach Dutcher. “But with that being said, Reese is a shot maker and it’s good to have him in the lineup.”
San Diego State continues their fall practices in preparation for their 2nd and final exhibition match when they host the University of San Diego Torreros men’s team at Viejas Arena. Tip off is scheduled for October 29, at 7:00pm PST. This will again be a ticketed only event with no television or radio coverage scheduled so far. Stay tuned as more to come.
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