Former Alabama guard plans ‘to be a dog’ for Celtics

What did the Boston Celtics get after they used the 53rd decide within the 2022 NBA Draft on Alabama guard JD Davison?

A canine.

At the very least that’s what Davison mentioned – 5 occasions – throughout a press convention on Tuesday.

“I’m simply going to be a canine on each ends of the court docket,” Davison mentioned in a single all-encompassing canine assertion.

A prep star on the Calhoun College in Letohatchee who was Alabama’s Mr. Basketball in 2020 and 2021, Davison averaged 8.5 factors, 4.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals per recreation in his solely season at Alabama.

“My season at Alabama didn’t go in addition to I wished to,” Davison mentioned, “however I believe I had spurts of what I confirmed and what I can do on the NBA degree. My determination was as a result of the NBA flooring is so spaced out for a dynamic guard like me, I believe it was the most effective for me to exit and go to the draft.”

CELTICS ‘INVEST’ IN ALABAMA GUARD JD DAVISON

Davison will get his first style of NBA motion with Boston’s entry within the NBA 2K23 Summer season League in Las Vegas. From July 7 via July 15, every of the NBA golf equipment will play 4 video games. The 2 groups with the most effective data will meet for the Summer season League championship on July 17 whereas the opposite 28 squads play one other recreation on July 16 or July 17.

The Celtics tip off their Las Vegas schedule towards the Miami Warmth at 4:30 p.m. CDT Saturday on NBA TV.

Within the Summer season League, Davison mentioned he desires to “simply go on the market and be me. Lead my staff to a win – 4 wins after which we go to the event. Simply lead my staff to wins and simply go on the market and have enjoyable.”

Boston used its solely alternative within the 2022 NBA Draft to acquire Davison.

“JD, clearly, is an especially gifted athlete,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka mentioned. “I in all probability caught much less school basketball than ever this yr, however he did stand out. Particularly, I noticed the air and I noticed him flying round after I did catch Alabama video games, so he stood out proper off the highest — his athleticism, his youth and power. A younger man, clearly — freshman — with great explosion, and with him, extraordinarily completely happy to have him, getting him that late within the draft.”

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Mark Inabinett is a sports activities reporter for Alabama Media Group. Comply with him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.