Troy's Greg Davis hopes to get the call from NBA today


Jeff Edge
Eagle Staff
Thursday, June 24, 2004


While the lights, camera and action will be focused on New York's Madison Square Garden for tonight's NBA Draft, Troy University point guard Greg Davis will be keeping a close watch on the proceedings.

The 6-foot-1, 165-pound Davis isn't listed among the top players at his position, but strong workouts with a trio of NBA teams have seen Davis go from relative unknown to possible late second round selection.

"I've been told it's going to be a crazy draft, especially after the first round," said Davis, who is currently in Trevizo, Italy at a tryout for European teams to get Davis even more exposure.

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get there (NBA). If it takes signing as a free agent and going into the summer league I'll do that. I just want a shot."

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The logjam at the point guard spot in tonight's draft actually starts with a pair of high school players, 6-foot-7 Shaun Livingston of Peoria, Ill., and Brooklyn, N.Y., prep legend Sebastian Telfair. The top college players drawing the most interest include Connecticut's Ben Gordon, Wisconsin's Devin Harris, Duke's Chris Duhon and college player of the year Jameer Nelson of St. Joseph's.

The lack of national exposure apparently hasn't hurt Davis. All Davis did this past year was lead the nation in assists (8.3 per game). He was also named the Atlantic Sun Conference player of the year after averaging 15.5 points, while ranking in the top 10 in the A-Sun in five other statistical categories.

"He's a true point guard," said Trojan coach Don Maestri. "Greg has excellent passing skills, can control the tempo if it's fast or slow, and he has a high basketball IQ. And if the NBA is looking at character, this kid's is spotless."

Trojan assistant David Felix goes a step further, saying Davis is "the most complete player we've ever had."

If there is a negative surrounding Davis, it is his lack of size. NBA scouts wonder if the slender Davis will be able to take the pounding of the physical game of the NBA. But what Davis lacks in size he makes up for with his on-court abilities and college experience.

After leading Troy to 26 wins and an NCAA berth as a junior, Davis guided the Trojans to a 24-win season and a spot in the NIT this past season.

One NBA authority familiar with Davis is NBA assistant director of scouting Ryan Blake, son of Marty Blake, the head of scouting. While Blake admits Davis' chances of being selected tonight night are slim, there's no reason why Davis couldn't end up on an NBA team.

"I'm a Greg Davis fan," Blake said. "I saw him in Portsmouth (N.H.) and he played pretty well. Although he's a little small, Davis knows how to play the point. He can play the high pick-and-roll a lot better than some of the guards rated higher than he is."

Davis has other intangibles that could land him on an NBA roster.

"He's got a great first step," Blake said. "He's also got a pretty good outside shot, although it can be streaky. There aren't any niches in his shot -- it's just on and off. Davis doesn't have that blinding speed some of the other guards possess, but he has that intangible of making the other players around him better."

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The first thing a player who isn't a first round or even a projected second round pick must do is get additional exposure.

Davis' credentials and style of play caught the eye of sports agent Herb Rudoy of Chicago, who visited Davis and eventually was hired by Davis to shop Davis' considerable talents around.

"There are no secrets about good players," Rudoy said. "If you're a good player, teams and agents will find you, no matter what school you're from. Greg is a lot like Speedy Claxton in that he's a little slight of build, but very quick."

Davis' first exposure with some of college's best players came at the Portsmouth Invitational April 7-10. Sixty-four potential NBA draftees squared off in games over a three-day period under the watchful eye of NBA scouts.

Davis' numbers weren't spectacular, but he said he knew going into Portsmouth he had to play his position and involve other players.

"I did O.K., and I could have done better," Davis said. "I had some scouts talk to me and tell me don't hurt your chances by doing things you shouldn't. They just told me to play my game like in college and be solid."

Davis' team went 1-2 in three games. He only took 10 shots in the three games combined, but made six, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range. He also grabbed nine rebounds, and his assist to turnover ratio was 11-to-5.

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The Portsmouth appearance apparently got the word out about Davis. In late April, the Portland Trailblazers had Davis in for the first of two private workouts.

Davis got an early look at a possible career in the NBA when he first hit Portland.

"They put me up in one of the better hotels," Davis said. "Then I went to the practice facility and they had everything there for the players."

At his first workout, Davis was also joined by Ricky Minard, a 6-foot-4 guard from Morehead State and 6-foot-4 Tony Bobbitt of Cincinnati.

Before taking the court for scouts to look at their physical skills, Davis said the players were given a written test.

"There were questions about how you would handle things at the end of the game to looking at different patterns (geometric shapes). I guess they just wanted to see us think off the court."

Expecting to stay a couple of hours, Davis said the players were put through a one-hour workout that included shooting drills, ballhandling, one-on-one and two-on-two fullcourt games, in addition to other drills.

"I really didn't know how I did," Davis said. "I didn't know if I'd be back or not."

Portland scout Tates Locke talked with Davis afterward about areas where Davis could improve and informed Davis the Trailblazers would have him back in May.

On May 23 Davis returned to Portland, this time working out with big-name players Telfair, Duhon and Georgia's Rashad Wright.

"I was a lot more focused," admitted Davis. "I knew they were all point guards, so I really pushed myself even harder."

Asked how he fared, Davis simply said, "I held my own. Telfair is really quick and confident in himself. I gave up some baskets, but I also took them to the hole some too."

Davis walked away though realizing the level of competition and exactly how much a business the NBA really is.

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Davis has gone on to work out for Orlando (June 11) and last week with San Antonio.

"When I went to Orlando they had two guards and two big men," Davis said. "We did a lot of shooting drills, fullcourt stuff and pick-and-roll situations. They said I did well, but I didn't shoot well, and I thought my workout was about average."

Davis worked out for Spurs coaches last Wednesday, and was asked to stay an additional day.

"I really raised my level at San Antonio," Davis said. "I had to keep reminding myself I'm from a small school, so I'm going to have to work even harder than the next guy."

The San Antonio workout was much like Orlando and Portland. Shooting drills, defensive drills, playing the pick-and-roll and wrapping up with some three-point shooting.

Davis' second workout was with Wright and Xavier's Lionel Chalmers. It didn't take long for the competition to heat up.

"When it's just point guards, you have to step up," Davis said. "It was definitely competitive and guys were really getting after it. Overall I thought San Antonio was my best workout."

San Antonio Director of Scouting Lance Blakes like what he saw in Davis' game.

"He's extremely quick," Blakes said. "There was no question he held his own against solid competition. He sees the floor well, and even though he is small, he's able to get by people and deliver the ball to the right place at the right time."

Blakes also said Davis' size, while not in his favor, will not necessarily doom his chances to play in the NBA.

"It's always an adjustment for college players to the NBA with the size of the players," Blakes said. "Greg will be no different if he makes it. It's a physical game, but speed can make up for a lack of size."

Davis admitted he likes San Antonio and he could possibly be a good fit. Tony Parker logged too many minutes a year ago and several back-ups were ineffective.

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Unlike some younger prospects, Davis hasn't been too awed by all the draft talk and workouts. He knows it's a business and Davis has been asking questions at each workout he has attended.

"All of the teams keep telling me to do what I've been doing and to get stronger," Davis said. "A scout in Orlando asked me what I thought I needed to work on and I told him my defense because we didn't play much man-to-man. I also told him I had to get bigger and stronger.

"All I've asked them is to be straight with me. I've asked all of them if I'm NBA material and they said no doubt. Some teams are going to like you in the workouts and others will not. I just don't let it get to me. If I had a bad workout I've asked questions on how to get better and I've and moved on."

If Davis doesn't get drafted, there is a good chance a team will sign him as a free agent and allocate him to a NBA summer league team.

"There's no doubt he has a good chance of being brought in by a team as a free agent," Blake said. "If not, I'd recommend the NBDL. He wouldn't make as much money, but he'd have a better shot at a call-up from a NBA team. He'd experience great coaching in a great league."

Rudoy said he'll continue to shop Davis around, even if Davis doesn't get drafted, and Davis' future in pro basketball appears to be a bright one.

"Our agency has had success with some players from Greg's league," Rudoy said.

"We've represented Carlos Arroyo and Raja Bell, who went undrafted, but have played in the league for some time now. I can tell you Greg has had three good workouts with teams, and there are at least a dozen NBA teams who know about him. The big thing is finding the right place and the right fit for Greg and the team interested in him."

A future in pro basketball would be a dream come true for Davis, who would love to help out a family that includes nine other children back home in Bradley, Ark.

"It's what I've worked on for four years," Davis said. "Everyone back home will be watching. I'll be in Italy, but I'll be waiting for that phone call."

I missed it, did he get drafted or sign a free agent contract?