Antoine Davis, a fifth-year senior guard for the Detroit Mercy Titans, has become a well-known name in college basketball during the 2022-23 season. He has established himself as the nation’s most successful outside shooter over the past five years, with a career as a lights-out scorer. Despite his impressive college career, Davis still needs to prove himself as a professional basketball player. While he has shown tremendous skill and success on the court, the world of professional basketball is highly competitive, and Davis will need to continue to work hard to establish a reputation that will allow him to succeed at the next level.
Early Life and high school career
Davis, a basketball player, was born in Bloomington, Indiana, and his father, Mike Davis, was a basketball coach for the Indiana Hoosiers when Davis was a child. Davis began training for basketball at the age of 12 and worked with coach John Lucas II in Houston, Texas.
As a freshman, Davis quickly made a name for himself on the court, averaging 26.1 points per game. He continued to excel throughout his college career, setting multiple records and earning numerous awards. In his first game for Detroit Mercy, Davis scored 32 points against Western Michigan, and he set a record for the most points scored by a Detroit freshman in a game against Loyola (MD) with 42. He also made 10 of 15 three-point shots and scored 48 points in a victory over Wright State.
. @Youngdvs13 Ends Year As NCAA Leader In Three Statistics, Including Nation's Leading Scorer #DetroitsCollegeTeam #HLMBB
— Detroit Mercy Titans (@detroittitans) April 4, 2023
🔗 https://t.co/vhTWgcIyoV pic.twitter.com/wwcEkzQFPi
Davis finished his freshman season with 132 three-pointers, breaking the record for most three-pointers made by a rookie in a season set by Stephen Curry with 122. He was named to the First Team All-Horizon League squad, becoming the first freshman in Horizon League history to do so after Gordon Hayward.
In his senior year, Davis accomplished several statistical benchmarks, including surpassing Alfredrick Hughes of Loyola Chicago to become the all-time highest scorer in the Horizon League on December 1, 2022. He also became the 11th men’s player in Division I to reach 3,000 career points, and on January 14, 2023, he surpassed Fletcher Magee of Wofford to become the player with the most career three-pointers in the history of Division I men’s basketball. On January 21, 2023, Davis moved past Freeman Williams of Portland State and is now in second place on the all-time scoring chart for men’s Division I basketball, behind only the legendary Pete Maravich of LSU.
Davis and Jamal Cain of Oakland were both recognized as co-Players of the Year for the 2022 Horizon League season. Davis made history by becoming the only player in the history of the Horizon League to be selected to the First Team All-Conference in each of the four consecutive seasons. He also won the award for Horizon League Player of the Year for the second time on February 27, 2023, establishing himself as the only player in the history of the league to be selected to the all-league first team on five separate occasions.
Despite his impressive career, Davis was a walk-on before becoming a record-setter. He finished his career with 3,664 points, just three short of Pete Maravich’s NCAA all-time scoring record, which he would have broken had Detroit Mercy been accepted to a postseason tournament. Overall, Davis’s career was marked by outstanding performances, breaking records, and earning numerous awards, establishing himself as one of the most talented basketball players in recent history.
Antoine Davis Specialty
Antoine Davis’ scoring game centers around his jump shot, which accounted for 78.6% of his overall field goal attempts during his final season. This statistic suggests that his efficiency as a scorer is largely dependent on his ability to hit jump shots. While he does occasionally drive to the rim, his smaller stature makes him less effective there, even against Horizon League defenses. His runners in the lane are also a less efficient option. As a result, Davis primarily relies on his jump shot, which has become his signature skill and the primary focus of his offensive game. This may be viewed by some as limiting his overall offensive versatility.
Davis’ Journey to a great career
Davis’ off-the-dribble skills make him a valuable prospect for any NBA team. While many athletes excel at catching and shooting, Davis’ ability to make shots in tight spaces, even with his palm covering his face, sets him apart from the rest. Despite his small size, Davis could improve at creating distance on his own and handling traffic, as he often relies on his shooting ability.
Although Davis is an aggressive scorer, his high volume of points is not due to excessive shot attempts. He actively screens for teammates, acts as a decoy, and makes excellent passes when necessary. His dedication to creating opportunities for himself and his teammates make him a valuable asset on the court.
Overall, these factors make Davis a promising player with a unique skill set that could translate well to the NBA.
Will Antoine Davis beat his flaws?
However, Davis is likely to face persistent defensive challenges that he may never be able to overcome. Despite his potential as a point guard, his slim build will always make him vulnerable against the size and power of NBA players. Additionally, his experience primarily in zone defense during his five-year college career means he has had limited exposure to man-to-man defense against opposing ball-handlers.
Nevertheless, Davis’s exceptional shooting skills and reputation will undoubtedly attract the attention of NBA scouts, especially given the current era of basketball, where jump-shooting is more critical than ever. While his size and age might hinder his draft selection, he could easily receive an invitation to the summer league and possibly even secure a two-way deal.
