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Drew Davis brings a wealth of international basketball experience to the class of 2013

by George McPherson

12/11/11- 6'0 2013 PG Drew Davis, McDonough (Georgia Elite Christian) GA, who has verbally committed to the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, in the Big East Conference, has been groomed for greatness since he was four years old when he began playing in a recreation league at Burdett Gym, located in College Park, GA.  His dad, Linzy Davis, and partner Al Outlaw and Coach T, managed their time to coach and develop Drew, while coaching and developing young players in their Team Georgia Basketball Club.  The list of over 125 pro alumni players include Sharif Abdur-Rahim, as an example of an unknown becoming an overnight sensation, which led to making him a nationally known elite player, who would eventually become a McDonald’s All American, and go to the Cal-Berkeley in the PAC-10, and lead the Conference in scoring his freshman year, then become a top NBA Lottery Pick.

But what makes Drew unique in the grooming process, which is ongoing, is the approach his dad took in developing Drew’s game.  While many players develop their game exclusively in the USA, Drew has logged more international miles playing basketball overseas, then players in the NBA competing with USA Basketball. His dad opted having Drew compete in international competition rather than compete in sneaker elite camps in the USA.  While this strategy has kept Drew under the radar in the USA among major recruiting services, it has helped his international reputation, and accelerated his development as an elite player. It has also created the option that he can turn pro out of high school and play professionally in Europe.

“Drew Davis has logged over 300,000 miles playing on various USA Elite National Teams overseas in Europe and South America at a young age with players like Willie Clayton (Class of 2012 UNC-Charlotte), J-Mychal Reese (Class of 2012 signed with Texas A & M), Lynden Rose (Class of 2012 signed with Baylor), and Jordan Price (Class of 2012 signed with Auburn), Mychal Ammons, (Class of 2011, Univ of South Alabama); Jalen Courtney, (Class of 2011 LSU), Tyler Adams, (Class of 2011Georgetown); Daniel Grieves, (Class of 2011 Airforce), and John Burke (Class of 2011 UMKC).” Said coach Davis, who coaches the USA Elite 22 & under and 19 & under age groups in international competition in Europe and South America.  And coach Davis has an impressive resume having coached a long list of  NBA elite players, among them are Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant. “Drew Davis, who aspires to join that elite group in the future has already practiced taking over 750,000, NBA 3-point shots to this point in his career, and has turned that skill into his #1 weapon.  Yet, many will overlook his pin-point passes that has him thinking two steps ahead of his defender.  “He is a John Stockton-type guard that presents all the dangers a point-guard should possess.”  Said Davis.  “He’s not a show-time player, but he can be if I turn him loose. But I’m more concerned with him being effective.  He is a gifted passer and a great efficient ball-handler, who doesn’t make turnovers. And taking care of the ball is a major demand I have placed on him along with tough smart defense.  Drew is also use to playing with the 24-second shot clock under FIBA rules so that has helped his efficient unselfish nature on the court. He doesn’t know what pressure is so he doesn’t give in to the emotional swings of the game. He just keeps his cool and keeps on playing the way a college coach expects the son of a coach to play.   And what I like best about Drew is he is a 90 percent plus free-throw shooter who at one point made a string of 68 free-throws in a row.  You want the ball in his hands the minute you are in the shooting penalty. That skill makes opposing defenses soft, or they will pay the price. His shooting range also opens up the defense and makes the game easier for slashers and post-players” Said Davis.   “Even when he misses a long range three, our post players, often end up with the rebound because he has what I call good misses, which means, they still turn into points, rather than a fast-break for the opposing team.  And it is fun watching teams call time-out, after time-out, after he has run off four to seven in a row from NBA range. And that’s why I call him a Box Jellyfish. He looks harmless, but is very deadly for those who come in contact with him.” Said Davis.