It is an understatement to say that the rookie season of Johnny Davis was not at all what he imagined. Despite a status of 10th choice of the Draft 2022, he struggled to obtain the confidence of his coach (28 games) and to obtain a significant playing time (15 minutes on average) at Washington.
Difficulties which can be explained, among other things, by the birth of his daughter Sky last September and his new role as a father.
” It took me a while to find the right balance, between playing basketball while having a baby, because I wanted to make sure I was there for him. But, once I understood all that, you could see that my game had improved… », estimated in this regard the player of Wizards.
Here, Johnny Davis is no doubt referring to his last two weeks of the regular season, which saw him average 14.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists (despite shooting percentages of only 39%, including 28% 3-pointers, and 50% on free throws).
It is in any case the proof that, over this period, and in terms of his intentions, the 21-year-old “combo guard” was no longer the same player as the one who accumulated twenty “DNP” between mid -October and early March (when he was not in the G-League).
” I just had to make sure I had confidence in myself and was aggressive on the pitch. “, he judges precisely, in relation to his state of mind. ” Whether my shots fall in or not, I always have to be confident in my game and in my shot, keep playing. »
An increased role next season?
Inevitably, his second year in the league will be closely scrutinized by the leaders of the Wizards and, to approach it as well as possible, Johnny Davis will rely, on the one hand, on his performances in the Summer League (15.5 points, 4.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 steals on average, 41% on the shoot, including 38% at 3-pointers) and, on the other hand, on the new turn made by his franchise.
Indeed, with the departures of Bradley Beal and then Kristaps Porzingis, the reconstruction is officially launched in Washington and the pressure will not be there in the capital. Therefore, the youngsters will be able to make their hole in the rotation of Wes Unseld Jr, reinforced by Jordan Poole Or Patrick Baldwin Jr..
” It’s great to be able to play with guys from my home state [le Wisconsin, ndlr] », rejoices Johnny Davis, a native of La Crosse. ” [Patrick Baldwin Jr.] has already come to training, I spoke to him a little, but I also already played with him two years ago, at the U19 World Cup. As for Jordan Poole, I also talked to him a bit, he wanted to take my number, but I couldn’t give it to him. It’s going to be very different here, but it’s exciting and I can’t wait for the season. »
Good news: in college, Johnny Davis already had the opportunity to explode between his freshman and sophomore years, going from 7.0 points and 4.1 rebounds to 19.7 points and 8.2 rebounds, with the “Badgers” of Wisconsin (NCAA ). Repeat again in the NBA this time?
| Johnny Davis | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2022-23 | WAS | 28 | 15 | 38.6 | 24.3 | 51.9 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 5.8 |
| Total | 28 | 15 | 38.6 | 24.3 | 51.9 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 5.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
