Dickinson High senior shooting guard Tramon Mark has never had much free time once the state playoffs roll around.
As an underclassman playing for head coach Jason Wilson, the 6-foot-6-inch, 185-pound Mark has helped the Gators earn three consecutive District 24-6A championships. The University of Houston commit enters his final season in the blue and white with a determination not only to push Dickinson’s district title winning streak to five – the Gators also won the district a year before Mark’s arrival – but also to bring a state championship home to north Galveston County.
“He can handle the ball and do the things that he is able to do with it” for someone of his size, sixth-year coach Wilson told Texas Scorecard. “He’s a special, one of a kind talent.”
The website 247Sports.com touts Mark’s abilities to play off the ball, create his own shot and exert tenacious defense. Likened to Golden State Warriors guard D’Angelo Russell, scouts project Mark to be an NBA Draft selection.
“You’ll be very shocked by just his ability and his length,” Wilson said. “Once you realize the things that he can do with a basketball and how he can score effortlessly, you get a real appreciation of his talent.”
Wilson and several of Mark’s teammates were witnesses to the shooting guard’s literal growth. He stood 6-foot-3-inches when he earned a spot on the varsity roster in 2016, a year after Dickinson notched its first playoff berth under Wilson. Aside from his development of a mental fortitude and a deep-seated respect for and appreciation of the game, Mark sprouted to his current height.
In his debut season, Mark made his presence felt in a 30-point performance against Houston Clear Lake. According to Wilson, it was the game that launched his protégé’s prep career to new heights. The coach added that Mark, as a ninth-grader, “put [the Gators] over the top,” essentially transforming little-known Dickinson High into one of the most talked-about teams in the nation’s fourth largest city and in the Lone Star State.
“When he came in – with his notoriety – we started getting the notoriety that we deserve in the Houston area,” Wilson said.
Mark proved to be no one-year wonder as he has produced a career line of 19.4 points per game, 3.4 assists per game and 5.5 rebounds per game. Aside from being a key offensive asset who can shoot from long distance, the senior has a gift of forcing turnovers, resulting in 2.3 steals per game.
His on-the-court contributions have figured prominently in Dickinson’s current district reign and are more than likely to extend to another season.
“Every time he steps on the court, it’s always a lasting impression on the Gators program,” Wilson said. “I have many memories of Tramon, He does it so frequently and so often.”
NCAA Division I programs such as Texas A&M, Oklahoma and California recruited Mark, but he decided to stay close to family and verbally committed to the Cougars.
“He has a really supportive family and he wants to stay close to them,” Wilson said. “His family plays a really big part in his success.”
The coach added that Houston coach Kelvin Sampson and his staff also factored into Mark’s pledge. Furthermore, the Coogs’ recent Sweet Sixteen finish in last year’s NCAA tournament was too big for Mark to ignore.
“They made an impression on Tramon and his family,” Wilson said.
As for Dickinson’s upcoming campaign, the Gators will benefit from the leadership, experience and depth that Mark and his fellow seniors bring to the fold.
“I’m not really concerned about his performance because he’s proven himself for the last three years going on his fourth year,” Wilson said. “I just want him to continue leading this program so we can maximize our opportunity.”
Dickinson opens the season on the road against Beaumont United on Nov. 16.
