Photo by: Dan Sanger
Lucas: Jordan Davis ready to play his game
November 06, 2022 | Men's Basketball, Mike Lucas
Junior guard steps into bigger role with Badgers
BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. – As a rookie, Johnny Davis is going through a natural transition to the NBA with the Washington Wizards. Even though the former Wisconsin star and Big Ten Player of the Year was a lottery pick, the 10th selection overall in the 2022 draft, his minutes have been limited thus far.
Jordan Davis can relate to what his twin brother is experiencing from his own perspective.
"I know he's frustrated and he's just adjusting to things – guys on the team, like Bradley Beal, want Johnny to be more aggressive offensively and have more confidence in himself,'' said Jordan, who's readying for the start of his junior season at Wisconsin. "It was a lot like I was last year.''
Last year, Davis appeared in 27 of the UW's 33 games. He averaged 6.5 minutes and 1.3 points.
"I really didn't play that much, and my confidence was a little low,'' said Davis who had a season-high seven points at Minnesota. "I didn't really trust what I was doing on the court sometimes. I knew that I wouldn't have that many opportunities to perform …''
Davis played more than 15 minutes just twice. He logged a career-high 20 against the Gophers. During his two seasons with the Badgers, he has accounted for 43 points on 46 shots in 40 games. He has been relegated to coming off the bench, spot duty. It's something Johnny is dealing with as a pro.
"I'm giving him pointers this year,'' said Jordan, who's well aware of the irony and role reversal in handing out advice and encouragement instead of receiving it from his older brother (by eight minutes). "And he's giving me pointers on being a starter and what to expect from yourself. Full circle.''
Despite their separation, their bond has never been stronger. "I miss him, he misses me, too – but we want what is best for each other,'' Jordan said. "He's doing his own thing and I'm doing my own thing. We text almost every day. Facetime. Call. Whatever… He's my best friend.''
Jordan is now an uncle. In late September, Johnny's girlfriend, Jessica, gave birth to a baby girl, Sky. Johnny joked to NBC Sports Washington, "Just taking it one day at a time, one diaper at a time.'' Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. noted, "It's exciting, but it's also daunting and overwhelming at times.''
He was talking about fatherhood at such a young age, 20. The same could be said for playing in the shadows of a high-profile brother. Surely it has been exciting for Jordan to play with Johnny. But it had to be daunting and overwhelming at times to be viewed in that lens. As Johnny Davis' brother.
Fair? Or foul? "I think it's fair,'' Jordan said. "Johnny did a bunch of great things. It's not a knock on him to say, 'Oh, well, Johnny is gone now, and Jordan can open up and be Jordan Davis instead of just being Johnny Davis' brother.' I haven't gotten to show that yet. But I'm excited to show the fans.''
Jordan Davis dedicated his off-season to living up to his own expectations. Not someone else's.
"It was about getting my body ready to maybe take up starter minutes since I really didn't get the minutes I wanted last year,'' he said. "I worked on my overall game – offensively and defensively – I worked on my mind, too, making sure I know all the plays and defensive principles we have here.''
He also lost about 10 pounds. "I feel more agile, quicker; my first step is a little better, too, I definitely feel it,'' said Davis who broke his collarbone playing football his senior year at La Crosse Central and has been playing catch-up ever since in terms of getting back to that space physically.
"Actually, I think I am back now,'' he said. "I was overweight coming into my freshman year here. My body was all over the place. My sophomore year, I gradually got back into it. Towards the end of the year, I started to feel like myself again. This year, especially, I feel like I'm at 100 percent.''
Getting stronger has been one of his points of emphasis since last season. Why does that matter? "Just to be able to guard the 1 through 3 because that's what I'm probably going to guard this year,'' he explained. "Usually, I'm typically a 2-man, so I'm guarding guys who are my height or shorter.
"But this year, I'll probably be guarding guys who are little taller than me. Maybe they'll be a little bit bigger and weigh more. That's why I've been getting my body ready – strength-wise – to defend guys like that. I want to guard the best player on the other team. I'm going to take pride in that.''
It's hard to project his impact on the offense. "It was frustrating last year because I'd only get one to two shots a game,'' he said. "It would kill my confidence a little bit. But I know I'm going to be a starter this year and I will have more opportunities to put the ball up. I'm not worried about my shot.
"I'm trying to change the narrative and work on my overall game.''
The narrative? "That was I was shooter,'' he said, "and my brother was the three-level scorer.''
In Wisconsin's exhibition win over UW-Eau Claire, Davis made 3 of 5 shots, including 1-of-2 from beyond the 3-point arc during his 21 minutes on the floor. What stood out was his action in the half-court and cuts to the rim without the ball. It's part of an offensive evolution with more playing time.
Make no mistake about it, though, the 6-4, 200-pound Davis asserted, "My role is to be a guy who does all the little things right defensively … be a great teammate … guard the best player and maybe knock down a couple of shots when I'm asked to.''
While he's in the process of establishing his own identity – separate from that of being solely Johnny Davis' brother – the Badgers are in the midst of reshaping and redefining who they are as a team and how they will play without Johnny and Brad Davison who combined to average 34 points last year.
The first step in that direction will be taken Monday night in the season opener against South Dakota at the Kohl Center. "Right now, we want to be known as a hardworking team who gives it their all – and when the game is on the line will give their heart out,'' Jordan Davis said.
"Once we get down the road, we'll figure out our identity.''
The Badgers have two transfers in the rotation: Max Klesmit from Wofford and Kamari McGee from UW-Green Bay. Both are state products: Klesmit from Neenah and McGee from Racine. Davis said of Klesmit joining the mix, "He fits like Cinderella's shoe. Great teammate, great guy.''
As for McGee, he added, "Same thing. He knows his role. Hardworking guy. Hustler.''
In general, Davis suggested, "We have a lot of selfless guys which is really good.''
His chemistry with Chucky Hepburn has never been better, either. "It has been absolutely great,'' he said. "We hang out together all the time. I want to see him kill it on the court, just like he wants to see me kill it on the court. It's hand-in-hand with what we do. He's my new best friend.''
Not that he has abandoned his "old'' best friend, Johnny. Not a chance in the world. Not after "being with him every day and hanging out'' for all those years growing up. And yet, Jordan is willing to concede, "It's different now, it's a different vibe'' around the team with Johnny in Washington.
It has made for some interesting travel arrangements for their parents, Mark and Sarah.
"They're going back and forth on the road,'' Jordan said of the logistical challenges.
The Wizards play Sunday in Memphis and Monday in Charlotte. They return to Washington for home games on Thursday (Dallas), Saturday (Utah) and next Sunday (Memphis). Besides the Badgers opening with South Dakota on Monday, they're scheduled to play Stanford on Friday in Milwaukee.
Nobody is more excited to get the season under way than Jordan Davis. (Unless it's his folks, of course). He laughed when asked about the Taco Bell commercial that aired for eight weeks prior to the NBA draft and introduced Johnny Davis (and toasted cheddar chalupa's) to a nation-wide audience.
Jordan was present for the taping which took nearly 10 hours to complete.
"I was in the background – you can see my forehead,'' he maintained. In reality, it was the ideal metaphor for the twins. One front and center. The other not. But it's a different year. "And just a different feeling,'' Jordan said. "I'm excited for my role.'' Especially since he'll have a bigger one.
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. – As a rookie, Johnny Davis is going through a natural transition to the NBA with the Washington Wizards. Even though the former Wisconsin star and Big Ten Player of the Year was a lottery pick, the 10th selection overall in the 2022 draft, his minutes have been limited thus far.
Jordan Davis can relate to what his twin brother is experiencing from his own perspective.
"I know he's frustrated and he's just adjusting to things – guys on the team, like Bradley Beal, want Johnny to be more aggressive offensively and have more confidence in himself,'' said Jordan, who's readying for the start of his junior season at Wisconsin. "It was a lot like I was last year.''
Last year, Davis appeared in 27 of the UW's 33 games. He averaged 6.5 minutes and 1.3 points.
"I really didn't play that much, and my confidence was a little low,'' said Davis who had a season-high seven points at Minnesota. "I didn't really trust what I was doing on the court sometimes. I knew that I wouldn't have that many opportunities to perform …''
Davis played more than 15 minutes just twice. He logged a career-high 20 against the Gophers. During his two seasons with the Badgers, he has accounted for 43 points on 46 shots in 40 games. He has been relegated to coming off the bench, spot duty. It's something Johnny is dealing with as a pro.
"I'm giving him pointers this year,'' said Jordan, who's well aware of the irony and role reversal in handing out advice and encouragement instead of receiving it from his older brother (by eight minutes). "And he's giving me pointers on being a starter and what to expect from yourself. Full circle.''
Despite their separation, their bond has never been stronger. "I miss him, he misses me, too – but we want what is best for each other,'' Jordan said. "He's doing his own thing and I'm doing my own thing. We text almost every day. Facetime. Call. Whatever… He's my best friend.''
"It's your time."
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 2, 2022
Former Badger @JohnnyDavis had words for twin brother @jordan_davis_23 ahead of the upcoming @BadgerMBB season.
Watch 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝟏𝐆 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩: 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 at 10 p.m. ET 11/3. pic.twitter.com/NvD73UCoCL
Jordan is now an uncle. In late September, Johnny's girlfriend, Jessica, gave birth to a baby girl, Sky. Johnny joked to NBC Sports Washington, "Just taking it one day at a time, one diaper at a time.'' Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. noted, "It's exciting, but it's also daunting and overwhelming at times.''
He was talking about fatherhood at such a young age, 20. The same could be said for playing in the shadows of a high-profile brother. Surely it has been exciting for Jordan to play with Johnny. But it had to be daunting and overwhelming at times to be viewed in that lens. As Johnny Davis' brother.
Fair? Or foul? "I think it's fair,'' Jordan said. "Johnny did a bunch of great things. It's not a knock on him to say, 'Oh, well, Johnny is gone now, and Jordan can open up and be Jordan Davis instead of just being Johnny Davis' brother.' I haven't gotten to show that yet. But I'm excited to show the fans.''
Jordan Davis dedicated his off-season to living up to his own expectations. Not someone else's.
"It was about getting my body ready to maybe take up starter minutes since I really didn't get the minutes I wanted last year,'' he said. "I worked on my overall game – offensively and defensively – I worked on my mind, too, making sure I know all the plays and defensive principles we have here.''
He also lost about 10 pounds. "I feel more agile, quicker; my first step is a little better, too, I definitely feel it,'' said Davis who broke his collarbone playing football his senior year at La Crosse Central and has been playing catch-up ever since in terms of getting back to that space physically.
"Actually, I think I am back now,'' he said. "I was overweight coming into my freshman year here. My body was all over the place. My sophomore year, I gradually got back into it. Towards the end of the year, I started to feel like myself again. This year, especially, I feel like I'm at 100 percent.''
Getting stronger has been one of his points of emphasis since last season. Why does that matter? "Just to be able to guard the 1 through 3 because that's what I'm probably going to guard this year,'' he explained. "Usually, I'm typically a 2-man, so I'm guarding guys who are my height or shorter.
"But this year, I'll probably be guarding guys who are little taller than me. Maybe they'll be a little bit bigger and weigh more. That's why I've been getting my body ready – strength-wise – to defend guys like that. I want to guard the best player on the other team. I'm going to take pride in that.''
It's hard to project his impact on the offense. "It was frustrating last year because I'd only get one to two shots a game,'' he said. "It would kill my confidence a little bit. But I know I'm going to be a starter this year and I will have more opportunities to put the ball up. I'm not worried about my shot.
"I'm trying to change the narrative and work on my overall game.''
The narrative? "That was I was shooter,'' he said, "and my brother was the three-level scorer.''
In Wisconsin's exhibition win over UW-Eau Claire, Davis made 3 of 5 shots, including 1-of-2 from beyond the 3-point arc during his 21 minutes on the floor. What stood out was his action in the half-court and cuts to the rim without the ball. It's part of an offensive evolution with more playing time.
Make no mistake about it, though, the 6-4, 200-pound Davis asserted, "My role is to be a guy who does all the little things right defensively … be a great teammate … guard the best player and maybe knock down a couple of shots when I'm asked to.''
While he's in the process of establishing his own identity – separate from that of being solely Johnny Davis' brother – the Badgers are in the midst of reshaping and redefining who they are as a team and how they will play without Johnny and Brad Davison who combined to average 34 points last year.
The first step in that direction will be taken Monday night in the season opener against South Dakota at the Kohl Center. "Right now, we want to be known as a hardworking team who gives it their all – and when the game is on the line will give their heart out,'' Jordan Davis said.
"Once we get down the road, we'll figure out our identity.''
The Badgers have two transfers in the rotation: Max Klesmit from Wofford and Kamari McGee from UW-Green Bay. Both are state products: Klesmit from Neenah and McGee from Racine. Davis said of Klesmit joining the mix, "He fits like Cinderella's shoe. Great teammate, great guy.''
As for McGee, he added, "Same thing. He knows his role. Hardworking guy. Hustler.''
In general, Davis suggested, "We have a lot of selfless guys which is really good.''
His chemistry with Chucky Hepburn has never been better, either. "It has been absolutely great,'' he said. "We hang out together all the time. I want to see him kill it on the court, just like he wants to see me kill it on the court. It's hand-in-hand with what we do. He's my new best friend.''
Not that he has abandoned his "old'' best friend, Johnny. Not a chance in the world. Not after "being with him every day and hanging out'' for all those years growing up. And yet, Jordan is willing to concede, "It's different now, it's a different vibe'' around the team with Johnny in Washington.
It has made for some interesting travel arrangements for their parents, Mark and Sarah.
"They're going back and forth on the road,'' Jordan said of the logistical challenges.
The Wizards play Sunday in Memphis and Monday in Charlotte. They return to Washington for home games on Thursday (Dallas), Saturday (Utah) and next Sunday (Memphis). Besides the Badgers opening with South Dakota on Monday, they're scheduled to play Stanford on Friday in Milwaukee.
Nobody is more excited to get the season under way than Jordan Davis. (Unless it's his folks, of course). He laughed when asked about the Taco Bell commercial that aired for eight weeks prior to the NBA draft and introduced Johnny Davis (and toasted cheddar chalupa's) to a nation-wide audience.
Jordan was present for the taping which took nearly 10 hours to complete.
"I was in the background – you can see my forehead,'' he maintained. In reality, it was the ideal metaphor for the twins. One front and center. The other not. But it's a different year. "And just a different feeling,'' Jordan said. "I'm excited for my role.'' Especially since he'll have a bigger one.
Media Availability || NCAA Round 1
Wednesday, March 18
Media Availability || Selection Show
Sunday, March 15
Postgame Media Conference || Michigan
Saturday, March 14
Postgame Media Conference || Illinois
Friday, March 13
