Wisconsin standout familiar with rebuilding projects

And the 6-foot-5, 196-pound guard did simply that, fueling the Badgers’ shocking displaying in 2021-22.

After averaging 7.0 factors as a freshman and beginning his sophomore season with back-to-back 15-point video games, Davis scored 20 or extra in 9 of the following 10 contests, together with 30-plus twice, to place himself because the Badgers’ No. 1 possibility and surge up draft boards.

This previous week on the NBA draft mix, the Spurs have been considered one of a number of groups to interview Davis, whose take-charge strategy undoubtedly impressed a membership going by a rebuild of its personal.

So is Davis concerned about enjoying for the Spurs?

“Taking part in below coach (Gregg) Popovich, essentially the most well-known coach in NBA historical past, could be one thing I might actually wish to occur,” stated Davis, who was additionally interviewed by Cleveland, Washington, Indiana, Detroit, Orlando and New York.

Backcourt depth isn’t a problem for the Spurs, nevertheless it may very well be laborious for them to cross on Davis if he’s nonetheless accessible when they’re on the clock June 23 with the ninth general decide. He’s a robust, tenacious defender and a relentless three-level scorer who averaged 19.7 factors, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.16 steals final season in main the 25-8 Badgers to a share of the Large Ten championship and a No. 3 seed within the NCAA Event.

On his method to turning into a consensus first-team All-American and the Large Ten Participant of the Yr, Davis additionally confirmed a knack for closing out video games. In a 67-60 first-round win over Colgate within the NCAA Event, he scored Wisconsin’s final 14 factors en path to ending with 25.

The best way he fought by a late-season ankle damage additionally impressed, Badgers coach Greg Gard stated in a press release after Davis introduced in March he could be getting into the draft.

“We all the time knew Johnny was powerful, and he confirmed that every one season lengthy, by no means greater than down the stretch,” Gard stated. “We knew he was hurting, however he laid all of it on the road for his teammates. That’s a toughness that may translate at any degree.”

Davis and twin brother Jordan, who’s returning to Wisconsin for his junior season, have been launched to basketball at an early age by their father. Mark Davis performed skilled basketball for 13 seasons, together with a stint with Milwaukee in 1988-89.

“I used to be 4 when my dad first obtained me and my brother within the fitness center,” Davis stated.

At La Crosse (Wis.) Central Excessive, Davis excelled at basketball and soccer, incomes all-state recognition in each. His state’s Mr. Basketball in 2020, Davis additionally handed for extra 6,500 yards and 56 touchdowns and ran for greater than 2,000 yards and one other 34 scores as a three-year starter at quarterback.

“I don’t suppose we’ll have one other Johnny come by right here,” Davis’ soccer coach stated after his star participant’s final sport.

Wisconsin began focusing on Davis early in his prep profession, providing him a scholarship in his sophomore yr. Regardless of buddies telling him different applications would give him a greater likelihood at advancing to the NBA, he struck with Madison, which is lower than 150 miles from La Crosse.

“My buddies have been like, ‘Man, you’re going to go there and also you’re not going to have the ability to make it to the NBA,’” Davis advised ESPN. “I heard all of the noise about how Wisconsin’s not a great place for athletes to go in the event that they wish to attain the following degree.”

Now after a confidence-building activate the USA Basketball U19 World Cup Group final summer time, the 20-year-old Davis is poised to change into the youngest NBA draft decide from Wisconsin taken within the first or second spherical. To make the 12-man World Cup workforce, he needed to combat his manner by an audition that included 26 different gamers, together with Gonzaga-bound Chet Holmgren, then the nation’s prime recruit.

“I used to be in a position to show myself,” Davis advised ESPN after his seven-game stint with the World Cup workforce. “It simply helped me understand that I shouldn’t be this timid participant anymore. I ought to are available, not being cocky about it, however considering I’m the very best participant on the ground on a regular basis.”

That confidence helped Davis comply with his Excel Sports activities Administration workforce’s recommendation to skip the drills and scrimmages held through the mix, one thing different potential lottery picks like Holmgren, Auburn’s Jabari Smith and Duke’s Paulo Banchero did.

“I’m by no means the sort to draw back from competitors,” Davis stated. “However my brokers thought it will be the very best factor for me to not compete.”

Brokers usually advise prime prospects to skip motion on the mix for concern that even a minor damage may damage their consumer’s inventory.

“I believe the best way I carried myself all year long and did every part I may for my workforce speaks extremely about my sport,” Davis stated. “I additionally don’t wish to threat being injured or not enjoying as effectively and dropping out of the place I’m projected.”

However he stated going by interviews with groups made his time within the Windy Metropolis effectively spent.

“They requested me about my household,” Davis stated. “I converse very extremely of them. I’ve a youthful brother and sister who’re twins as effectively. Everyone is shocked about that, having two units of twins within the household.”

Davis additionally took benefit of the meet-and-greets with NBA decision-makers to seek out out what he must do to enhance.

“They gave me nice suggestions,” he stated. “It’s been quite a lot of various things, protection, taking pictures, ball-handling.”

However aside from needing to change into extra correct from the perimeter after taking pictures simply 30.6 % from 3-point territory on 3.9 makes an attempt per sport final season, there are not any evident holes in his ability set.

“That undoubtedly doesn’t characterize me,” he stated of his low proportion from past the arc. “I may have shot higher from 3, however later within the season I took much more contested pictures.”