When you think of basketball at the University of Texas, Ovie Dotson stands out as a trailblazer whose journey left an indelible mark. A standout from San Antonio's Sam Houston High School, Dotson joined the Longhorns in 1975 as an all-city, all-district player, quickly making his mark by helping lead the Longhorns to two Southwest Conference titles and a win at the National Invitation Tournament. Dotson didn’t just find his footing on the court — he used it as a platform for change, community and inspiration.

“I was going to be a part of something from the beginning, not something that had already been established,” Dotson said. 

Dotson’s athletic journey began on the baseball diamond, but a growth spurt shifted his focus from swinging bats to sinking baskets. 

“As I grew taller, basketball started to feel like a safer fit,” he recalled, standing at 6-foot-3 by the time he made the move to Texas basketball. 

Initially set on Texas Tech, his high school history teacher — a proud Longhorn — helped sway him toward Texas, a world-recognized school with an emerging basketball program.

Dotson now encourages young athletes, particularly Black athletes, to carve their own paths. 

“Don’t pick a school based on what others say. Find out for yourself. Open the door and see what’s inside,” he said. “Many people miss great opportunities because they’re scared to open the door.”

In the mid-1970s, as one of the few Black players on the Texas team, Dotson was well aware of the challenges ahead-but he was prepared. 

“Texas was ready to make a change, and I was ready to be part of it," he said. From handling adversity with a smile to building connections across communities, Dotson credits his family with teaching him resilience.

With Coach Leon Black and the legendary Abe Lemons at the helm, Dotson experienced two distinct leadership styles. Lemons, known for giving players room to be themselves, left a lasting impression on Dotson. 

“Coach Lemons didn’t micromanage. He believed in us,” Dotson said. “He taught us that not everything will go your way, but to stay focused on the dream.”

Under Lemons, Dotson helped score major victories, including the 1978 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship. 

“We started off not being a favorite, but our bond made us unstoppable,” he said. “Winning brought our community together and put us on the map.”

After college, Dotson took his talents to the Harlem Globetrotters, where he joined Jimmy Blacklock, the first Black player at UT and Hall of Famer. 

For Dotson, the transition to the world-renowned Harlem GlobeTrotters felt seamless. Throwing the ball in between his legs and behind his back wasn’t new to him. 

“I played it with style, I played it with flair,” Dotson said. 

Playing in over 400 games annually and traveling to 96 countries, Dotson became known for his leaps and show-stopping dunks.  

“Basketball put me in the conversation, in the arena, at the table,” he said of his time with the Globetrotters. He met world leaders and shared smiles around the world, experiencing firsthand the power of sports to bridge cultures.

“I loved every day to be around things I could tell my grandkids about,” Dotson said. 

He continues sharing his journey with young athletes, offering a message of persistence. He urges them to “knock on the door and open it,” reminding them that their story is uniquely theirs to tell. 

Dotson’s influence as a Longhorn goes beyond his own story — he takes pride in opening doors for players like Kevin Durant. He shared a fond memory from their concurrent induction into the UT Hall of Honor in 2022.

“He’s one of the finest young men I’ve met. I told him, ‘I’m an old man, and you’re a young man, but when you see me, just speak.’ He laughed, and that’s Kevin. He didn’t come to UT based on what others said. He came for the experience, and he’s made it better for everyone who follows,” Dotson said.