Let’s Talk JD Davison
I’m so proud to be able to witness the sports scene here in Alabama. Not just because of the football side of things either. This is only my second article for Prep Hoops however, this is something I’ve wanted to…
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Continue ReadingI’m so proud to be able to witness the sports scene here in Alabama. Not just because of the football side of things either. This is only my second article for Prep Hoops however, this is something I’ve wanted to write about for a while. In recent years the state of Alabama has been churning out NBA ready prospects. Kira Lewis, John Petty, and Austin Wiley are just some of the big names who can find their ways onto an NBA roster. It’s been great to see the increase in quality coming through the ranks. The latest name to add to this list is going to be JD Davison JD Davison 6'3" | PG Calhoun | 2021 State #10 Nation AL . The Alabama commit has blown up the internet with his ability to dunk, but he’s so much more than that. He’s potentially the next 1st round draft pick from the state and could even be the best one yet.
The Man
Davison is a 6’3 PG who might be most comparable to a player like Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. They both are natural skywalkers (which I’ll get to later), but most importantly they’re both very skilled playmakers. Obviously this isn’t a 1:1 comparison but, my point is that it could be. I think JD Davison JD Davison 6'3" | PG Calhoun | 2021 State #10 Nation AL has a path to be a potential top 10 pick in a couple of years. A path that is not too different from what we saw with Morant. Looking at his game right now, he obviously has an innate prowess to attack the rim. His ability to drive and finish with either hand is something you don’t see at this level so early on into a player’s career. That’s his bread and butter and it is just as good as the real thing. You may say “well just driving and dunking doesn’t Merritt a top-10 pick” to which I would respond with “Yes, but it’s not the only way he can score”. Davison has a very fluid jump shot that will only get quicker and more consistent under Nate Oats at Alabama. This leads me back to the comparison with Morant because of his playmaking ability. You see, Davison’s playmaking isn’t just driving to the basket and windmilling on a 5’10 sophomore. It’s his stepback, his pass out, his ability to finish with his left, his ability to find the open man, and everything that personifies the word playmaker. That’s the reason I’m so excited to see him develop.
The Myth
I hinted at this in the last section but, this guy can fly. I’ve seen between the leg dunks, windmills, and effortless tomahawks that make it look like he just glides through the air. Naturally, this has made him a huge hit on YouTube and other platforms. This is something that we’re seeing more and more and something that has helped players from our state get their name out there. The rise of YouTube highlight mixtapes has given kid’s a way to get their name out to the public that may not be aware of them at the time. I remember seeing my classmates in college pulling up tape during Econ just to see Zion Williamson do effortless 360’s. It’s cool I get it but, while this is a great way to get someone’s name out there, it’s not always the be all end all to deciding if a player is good or not. This is part of the reason why I find these players so interesting. Davison’s popularity is definitely helped by his presence on these mixtapes and that’s great to see but, his expertise in these other areas I’ve touched on is what could take him to the next level.
The Legend
I’m certainly not going to sit here and say that JD is the next Michael Jordan. He’s got a long way to go and a lot to improve on. I do think however he has a great headstart to building a long career in this sport that could make him one of the greatest to ever come from the state. That is until the next state great comes through.