Donovan Dent: College Basketball’s Most Underappreciated Player
Every March, there’s that one player who bursts onto the national scene, leaving fans wondering how they hadn’t heard of him sooner. Enter Donovan Dent, the engine behind New Mexico’s rise and one of the most overlooked stars in the country. While big-name guards from powerhouse schools get the headlines, Dent has quietly put together an incredible season that deserves your attention. Let’s break down why he might just be the most underrated player in college hoops.
Stats That Tell the Story
Dent’s numbers are no joke. He’s averaging around 20 points and 6.5 assists per game, making him the only player in the country putting up those kinds of numbers. That’s not just good—that’s elite. On top of that:
49% shooting from the field
36% from three
58% true shooting percentage
27.4% usage rate while keeping an offensive rating of 117
Top 30 in scoring, top 10 in assists nationwide
35.7% assist rate, meaning he assists on over a third of his team's made baskets
14% turnover rate, showing he takes care of the ball despite high usage
And he’s not just racking up numbers against weak competition. Dent dropped 40 points on VCU and dished out 11 assists against USC. He also has multiple 30-point and 10-assist games, which is rare air in college hoops.
Why He’s the Heart of New Mexico
When you watch New Mexico play, you quickly realize everything runs through Dent. The Lobos are having a huge year, sitting at 23-6 and battling for the top of the Mountain West. Dent’s leadership and playmaking have been the key.
He’s constantly pushing the pace, creating easy buckets in transition, and setting up his teammates with pinpoint passes. New Mexico ranks 6th in adjusted tempo nationally, largely because of Dent’s relentless speed and playmaking. Without Dent, New Mexico simply isn’t the same team.
And it’s not just numbers—it’s moments. Dent has a knack for coming through in the clutch. He had three game-winning buzzer-beaters as a sophomore, and this year he's continued delivering in crunch time, including a 34-point explosion in a tight road win at UNLV.
Advanced metrics love him too. Dent ranks:
Top 3 nationally in player impact metrics (PIPM)
Top 5 in overall value ratings (BPR)
First in offensive impact (POE)
That’s not just good for the Mountain West—that’s elite across the entire country.
Why He’s Flying Under the Radar
So why isn’t Donovan Dent a household name?
Mid-major bias: Playing in the Mountain West means fewer national TV games and less media hype.
No preseason buzz: Dent wasn’t on many “players to watch” lists before the season started.
Award snubs: He was left off the top 10 for the Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation’s best point guard, despite being statistically better than many finalists.
If Dent played for a program like Duke or Kansas, we’d be talking about him as a National Player of the Year candidate. But because he’s at New Mexico, he’s flying under the radar.
What Makes Him Special
Dent’s game is built for today’s basketball. Here’s what stands out:
Elite Playmaker: 6.5 assists per game with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.3:1.
Relentless at the Rim: Finishes around 60% of his shots at the rim, with most being self-created.
Tough Defender: Averages 1.5 steals and nearly 1 block per game, rare for a 6'2" guard.
Poised Leader: Calm under pressure, clutch in big moments, and always in control of the game.
His creativity and vision in the pick-and-roll are next level. He keeps defenses guessing, manipulating defenders and setting up his teammates with ease.
The only real question? Taking more threes. He shoots it well (36%), but NBA scouts want to see him take more, especially off the dribble.
NBA Potential
Dent has the tools to play at the next level. His playmaking, rim pressure, and basketball IQ check all the boxes. Size will be his biggest challenge at 6’2”, but plenty of undersized guards have made it big—think Fred VanVleet or Jalen Brunson.
If he keeps improving his shooting volume and adds strength, Dent could be a second-round steal. His pace, passing, and finishing ability are NBA-ready skills.
Why He Could Shine in March
History shows us that players like Dent often make noise in the tournament. Think Malachi Flynn, Ja Morant, CJ McCollum, Damian Lillard—all under-the-radar guards from smaller programs who took over in March and never looked back.
Dent is averaging numbers comparable to those stars, and if New Mexico makes the tournament, Dent is exactly the type of player who could go viral with a big-time performance. He’s got the skills, the mindset, and the game to dominate on the biggest stage.
The Bottom Line
Donovan Dent is doing things that no other player in college basketball is doing this season. He’s putting up elite numbers, leading his team, and stepping up in the clutch, all while getting far less attention than he deserves.
That “underrated” label won’t last much longer. March is coming. Get familiar with Donovan Dent now, because soon, the whole country will know his name.