Dale is a razor-sharp point guard capable of taking over a game with his offense or setting up his teammates.The team’s top returning rebounder despite standing just 5-11, Dale is a tremendous athlete and was a state triple jump champion in high school. An excellent defender, Dale has quick hands and good instincts to get in the passing lanes. Dale improved his decision making ability with the ball in his hands as the season went along and is one of the top all-around guards in the Ivy League.
As a sophomore
The 2007-08 Ivy League Player of the Year and a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection, Dale ranked second on the team and sixth in the Ivy League in scoring (13.8 ppg.) and led the Ancient Eight in assists (5.0 apg.), good enough for 55th nationally. The sophomore started all 27 games, ranking among the team leaders in rebounding (second, 4.4 rpg.), steals (first, 34) and free-throw percentage (second, .906). The three-time Ivy League Player of the Week also ranked among the Ivy leaders in field goal percentage (seventh, .458) and assist/turnover ratio (second, 1.64). In league play, Dale was even better, posting averages of 14.4 ppg., 5.0 apg. and 4.6 rpg. The Birmingham, Ala. native led the nation in free-throw percentage for much of the year (currently seventh in Division I) and made a school record 52 consecutive shots from the charity stripe. His 12-of-12 effort at Bucknell tied the school record for most free throws in a game without a miss and also tied a single-game high in Division I. The 5-11 guard scored in double figures in 21 games and led the team in scoring in seven contests and was the leader in assists 16 times. He tied his career scoring high with 24 points in both wins over three-time defending league champion Penn and notched a career-best 10 assists in the season-opening win over Lehigh. His 22-point, 11-rebound, six-assist effort in a win over Dartmouth helped Cornell clinch at least a share of the Ivy title. Against NCAA qualifier and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Siena, Dale had a dominant 20-point, nine-rebound, six-assist effort in a win. He ranks sixth on the school’s single-season assist list (136).
As a freshman
Dale was an honorable mention All-Ivy selection as a freshman after averaging 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 28.7 minutes per contest, starting 27 of the 28 games in which he appeared. A six-time conference rookie of the week award winner, Dale ranked ninth in the Ivy League in scoring and third in assists, while also standing among the top 10 in defensive rebounds (seventh, 3.7), free throw percentage (seventh, .785), 3-point percentage (second, .468) and assist/turnover ratio (fifth, 1.11). His scoring total (372 points) ranks second all-time at Cornell among freshmen. Dale had a career-high 23 points against Bucknell and 22 points in three other contests. He had arguably his best game in a win at Brown, posting 22 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals while making 5-of-9 3-pointers, including all five he attempted in the second half. Dale had 16 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in a win over Dartmouth for his first career double-double. The 5-11 guard also paced the team in rebounding five times, scoring eight times and assists in 13 contests in his first year on East Hill.
At Altamont School
A first-team all-state selection by the Birmingham News as a senior at the Altamont School, Dale was nominated for a spot prestigious McDonald's High SchoolAll-America team. He led the Knights to the Class 2A regional finals in his final three seasons, earning most valuable player honors as a senior, and led the team to the final four in2004. As a senior, Dale's squad went 28-5. As a junior, Dale was named to play in the North-South state junior all-star game, pitting the top 30 junior players in the state after averaging 16 points, eight assists and seven rebounds per contest. He was an honorable mention all-state pick as a sophomore and a second-team pick as a junior. The two star prospect by HoopScoopOnline.com put up 16 points per game as a sophomore. As a member of the track and field team, Dale helped Altamont to a state title as a senior, winning the triple jump with a leap of 45-4 and placed second in the high jump at 6-2.
Personal
Louis Dale III is the son of Louis Sr. and Willette Dale. He is enrolled in the College of Human Ecology. |