The Big Ticket: How Amarion Dickerson is Chasing Greatness at USC

When Amarion Dickerson walks into a room, the energy shifts. At 6-foot-7, with a smile that stretches just as wide as his wingspan, he has a way of making his presence felt before a single word is spoken. Friends and family say he can "light up any room." This season, he's ready to light up the Galen Center.

Dickerson's story however is about far more than basketball, it's about family, resilience and what he proudly calls his "ticket out."

Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, Amarion learned early about grit and perseverance. Raised primarily by his mother and grandmother, with aunts and uncles woven into his support system, he was the oldest of three and felt the responsibility of being a role model.

"I was basically raised by all women, and they definitely helped shape me into the man that I am today," Dickerson said.

Surrounded by love but just streets away from possibly getting "caught up" as he puts it, was something that kept him focused on finding a way out. And that, he did.

Around the neighborhood, he's known now as "Big Ticket," and it's no wonder his nickname stuck. On the surface, it's a nod to Kevin Garnett, but for Dickerson, it represents something deeper, a ticket to new opportunities. A ticket out of Cleveland.

Before basketball came calling, Dickerson was a two-way talent on the football field. He lined up at wide receiver, safety, tight end, defensive end, cornerback and even quarterback. He grew up loving the game and has remained a loyal fan of his hometown team, the Cleveland Browns.

At age 13, Dickerson was introduced to basketball through his AAU coach Justin Ferguson. By his sophomore year, the court started to call louder than the field as college scholarship offers started rolling in for basketball.

"I had to make a choice," Dickerson said. "I thought about the toll football takes on your body and honestly, my love for that little orange basketball just grew." It was at that point he decided to permanently put the football down and get to work on the court.

"Honestly, that decision opened doors for me and probably led me here." As a high-schooler, Dickerson says he and his teammates bonded over their dreams and aspirations of using basketball to further education and ultimately taking care of their families.

"I was the first to get a college degree in my family," Dickerson said. "The first to do a lot of things." He added that his goal is to "build something that lasts," whether that generational wealth, education or access to resources for his community. "Just something bigger than basketball."

For Dickerson, basketball wasn't just a way in, it was the grind behind the scenes that defined his rise. The long hours in the gym, the work ethic that can't be taught and the character he carried off the floor, opened doors he never thought possible.

That work ethic was on full display at Mineral Area College in Missouri, where Dickerson carved out his place as one of the most dominant players in junior college basketball. In his final season with the Cardinals, the forward led all JUCO players in blocks, ranked third nationally in total rebounds and finished fourth in steals. He averaged 12.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, helping Mineral Area to a 29-3 record and a berth in the Region 16 championship.
It was more than a breakout experience, it was a launchpad into the world of Division I basketball.

Dickerson points to his coach, Greg Heiar, as a crucial influence during that time, pushing him to stretch his game and prepare for the next level.

"Missouri was great for me," Dickerson said. "A lot of people don't make it out JUCO, so being able to transfer into a Division I after that was a massive step."

After two years at the junior college level, Dickerson earned an opportunity he couldn't pass up, a spot on the Robert Morris University roster. In just one season, he helped turn the Colonials from overlooked underdogs into a March Madness Cinderella story.

Picked to finish at the bottom of the Horizon League in the 2024 preseason, RMU defied expectations all year long, culminating in an improbable appearance in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. At the center of it all was Dickerson.

The Cleveland native was named the 2025 Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year and earned Second Team All-League honors, backing up the accolades with production on both ends of the floor. He averaged 13.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while collecting three double-doubles. He also had a career-best 27 points and 15 boards against Northern Kentucky, marking one of five games where Dickerson scored 20-plus points during the season.

Defensively, he anchored the Colonials' identity, posting 12 games with three or more blocks.

When the lights shined brightest, Dickerson performed. In the NCAA Tournament opener against No. 2 seed Alabama, he delivered 25 points and nine rebounds, proving he belonged on college basketball's biggest stage.

Following that performance, USC came calling and Dickerson was ready to answer.

His decision, like so many Trojans, was about more than just sports. USC offered tradition, prestige and Los Angeles, the city where dreams are made.

"Who doesn't want to chase their dreams while being at a prestigious university," said Dickerson. "And in Los Angeles."

When Dickerson talks about his first meeting with Eric Musselman, there's no hesitation.

"Coach Muss was prepared," Dickerson recalled. "He broke down my film and he's just a coach that pushes players to be the best version of themselves."

That kind of detail resonated with Dickerson, who prides himself on the intangibles. Ask him to describe his own game and he doesn't rattle off statistics, he boils it down to one line: "I'm a win-by-any-means type of player with two-way versatility." Above all, he calls himself a "team guy," the type who leaves his heart on the floor every night.

Yes, he wants to win, but for Dickerson, it's also about connection. He talks about bringing fans back into the Galen Center and restoring the energy surrounding USC men's basketball. With a grin, he adds that he's ready to get "the Muss Buss rolling."

Moments like his first run-in with Trojan great DeMar DeRozan only deepen that motivation. "I watched him every day in NBA games growing up," Dickerson said. "So, coming here and playing a pickup game against him was crazy."

Around the locker room, teammates simply call him "Mar," but on the court this season, he has bigger ambitions, establishing a Trojan legacy of his own. He admits that fouling out in his final March Madness game at Robert Morris still lingers in the back of his mind. "I don't live with regret," he said, but he knows he has unfinished business.

Now at USC, with Musselman's staff behind him and a roster he believes in, Dickerson sees a chance to write a new chapter.

"I'm excited to see what we can do," he said. "I definitely think we can accomplish some of those goals I still have."

The No. 3, an identity he's tattooed on him and worn with pride. It's a two-pronged tribute – both a nod to Allen Iverson, one of his inspirations, and his auntie "Bay Bay," who often calls him "Lucky." Lucky number three that is.

Dickerson has the image of himself playing back home in Cleveland during March Madness inked on his body. A reminder of where he started, what he's accomplished and where he's headed.

Off the court, those who know him best call him caring, passionate and intelligent. He calls himself a "do-er." Whether that's cooking, eating soul food with his family or finding ways to revitalize his community back in Cleveland, Dickerson's always thinking about what's next.

When the ball isn't bouncing, he finds time to give back to his community. Most recently, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District alum gave back in a big way with the ADIII Annual Bookbag Giveaway. Dickerson donated over 200 backpacks filled with school supplies and provided students with free haircuts, food and an inspirational meet and greet.

"My mom, my grandma and my siblings, they inspire me every day," he said. "They kept me grounded and everything I do is for them and for the next generation."

For now, though, the next chapter is about basketball and about showing the world why "Big Ticket" is more than just a nickname.

"I know people may think I'm underrated," he said. "That's fine, because when the lights are on, I'll be ready. They'll see."

The Big Ticket: How Amarion Dickerson is Chasing Greatness at USC

Players Mentioned

Amarion Dickerson

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