Josh Davis Living A Dream

Standing at 6’7" and weighing in at 210 pounds, freshman forward Josh Davis looks the part of an elite division one athlete. He even scores like one, averaging 25 points per game during his senior campaign at Raleigh’s Athens Drive High School. So why, you ask, was Josh Davis overlooked by almost every top program in the nation?


“I really don't understand . I guess kids at his position are usually good perimeter shooters. Earnest Ross and Garrius Adams (other local high major recruits) have a little bit better jump shot than Josh at this point. That is also partially due to the roll that we asked Josh to fill this past year. A jump shot is something that a kid can work on. He just turned 18 years old. He's a young 18 but this kid has so much upside.” Said Athens coach Robert Clemons.

NC State coach Sidney Lowe saw that upside and immediately knew that Josh was a good fit for the program. It was thought that the Wolfpack would not have an extra scholarship available for Josh in 2009, but Lowe and company hoped he would take the prep school route and enroll in 2010. That wasn’t necessary, as junior Trevor Ferguson announced he was leaving the program at the end of last season. Not long after the announcement, Josh Davis had a committable offer to NC State. An offer he couldn’t refuse.

Davis spent his childhood rooting for the Wolfpack, thanks to a mother who grew up watching the dominant Jim Valvano teams of the early 80’s. Her dream was to one day see her own son cloaked in the red and white, helping NC State return to the glory days that she once enjoyed. That dream became a reality when Josh signed on the dotted line, and cemented his commitment to the Wolfpack.

"I've waited for this day for a long time." She said, glowing with pride on her son’s signing day.

With his freshman season approaching, Josh takes on the task of proving his doubters wrong, and earning the attention that was once neglected by scouts and top tier programs.

“ I do feel like I came in under the radar, but I don’t let that get to me. I feel like I’ve been performing pretty well and I hope that translates into me being able to contribute a lot this season.” Josh told us during Media day.

Davis came in as a relative unknown, but has certainly turned the heads of those who have watched his progression this pre-season, most notably head coach Sidney Lowe.

“Josh is just fun, he’s just enjoyable to have. He doesn’t say much, he just works hard. That’s his talent, he works hard. He’s the type of player that you don’t have to call a play for, he just makes it happen. When I talked about the ball being on the floor, he’s the first one to go on the floor, the first. He’s going to be a guy that it’s going to be hard to not have him on the floor, because he does all the little things. He defends, he rebounds, he runs, he’s going to get those loose balls and he’s a finisher. He gets on the break, he’s gets the ball and he finishes. He’ll get the offensive rebound, go back up and get fouled. He’s been fun to coach. It’s been a short period of time but, it’s been fun.”

Nothing has been handed to Josh Davis. It’s been hard work, commitment and a dream shared with his mother that has gotten him where he is today. Surely, he wouldn’t want it any other way.