He was the big disappointment of the 2022 Draft lottery during the first weeks, even the first months of the season. While Paolo Banchero, Keegan Murray or Bennedict Mathurin, chosen before him, quickly showed good things with their respective teams, Johnny Davis struggled to justify his status to Washington.
It was only in mid-March, after weeks in the G-League, that the former Wisconsin back explained that he had found the click to finally launch his adventure in the NBA. THE rookie entered the rotation of his coach Wes Unseld Jr at that time, and has not left it since.
” The G-League helped a lot, of course. Although I struggled at first. I was from Wisconsin and the Big Ten conference, where the style of play is overall very slow » he said. ” But I have the feeling that even if it took me a little longer than the others [de ma cuvée de Draft]I have finally arrived in my comfort zone. »
And the “Big Ten Player Of The Year” 2022 to admit it: he hit rock bottom very quickly psychologically, but only to bounce back better afterwards.
” I had to be at my lowest to realize how difficult it is to break into this environment he adds. ” When I arrived in the G-League, I said to myself: ‘Quiet, the players are less talented here’. But no, clearly not. There are NBA veterans who want to find a place, for example. So I very quickly adopted a different state of mind, I put my head down and I went for it. »
Objective season 2023/24
And his work has paid off as since joining the Wizards rotation three weeks ago, he’s shot 8.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 21 minutes, including 10 points and 4.2 rebounds in the last five games.
Figures to be contextualized in the end of the season without stake for Washington, eliminated from the race for the playoffs and which consequently puts its executives in the fridge, but all the same an opportunity for him to chain the matches and to swallow the minutes in view of next season, after a first part of exercise rookie missed.
” I want to be indispensable in the rotation. Not just playing cause our season is over he continues, expressing his newfound confidence. ” I want to play because I am useful on both sides of the pitch in all circumstances. »
According to his coach, who has just been confirmed in his post for the 2023/24 season, his good end to the season is in any case a successful first audition…
” He is solid. Very meticulous and respectful of our game plan concluded Wes Unseld Jr. He has good ball-in-hand instincts, and he does not hesitate to try to impose himself physically. I really like his attitude. »
| Johnny Davis | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2022-23 | WAS | 25 | 12 | 41.6 | 25.6 | 50.0 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 4.6 |
| Total | 25 | 12 | 41.6 | 25.6 | 50.0 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 4.6 | |
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.
