When point guard Tweety Carter departed Tulsa on Feb. 26, Tulsa 66ers players took the opportunity to fill in. Garrett Williamson and Brandon Brooks have seen increased minutes at the point, while Dyson has taken over as the new starter.

The rookie out of Connecticut , who spent most of the year coming off the bench as a big scoring threat from the shooting guard position, has started eight of Tulsa’s last nine games as the point guard.

“I’ve had to put in a lot of work,” Dyson said. “It’s a real big difference from going out there, being a guy that they just want to score the ball, to getting things going.

“I was coming off the bench as a ‘two,’ but now I’m starting and I’m trying to get my teammates involved and making sure everybody gets a touch.”

Dyson’s hard work appears to be paying off. In each of the 66ers two home games last weekend, Dyson set his season-high in assists, including eight dishes in Saturday’s contest with Rio Grande Valley.

In the past five games, Dyson has averaged 13.8 points and 4.2 assists. He said getting the opportunity to play point guard has allowed him to improve in different areas of his offensive game.

“It’s given me a better feel for the game,” Dyson said. “I get to see the whole floor and see the plays develop before they really get going.”

With his move to point guard, Dyson said it has come with some added responsibility. He said his teammates look to him for leadership when he’s on the floor.

Coach Nate Tibbetts has also seen Dyson take on more of a leadership role and is happy to see that the first-year pro is embracing that responsibility.

“We’ve really asked him to change roles,” Tibbetts said. “He would come in and really look to score. Now he has to get others involved, and I think he’s doing a really good job.

“He’s getting better every game with his focus and leadership. He’s really stepped up and I think he’s taken pride in that because he’s doing a great job.”