Spartan Profile: Deyonta Davis
12/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Kellie Van Maele, MSU Athletic Communications
Four years ago Deyonta Davis wrote down a list of goals that he wanted to accomplish in basketball. On November 13, he was able to check off one of those tasks.
The freshman forward made his Spartan debut against Florida Atlantic that day, which was something he had been chasing since ninth grade.
"He looks at the list all the time," Bonnie Davis, Deyonta's grandma, said. "It makes me feel so good that he's followed his dream â€" his dream has always been to be here."
Davis began playing basketball in fifth grade, but his commitment to the sport was not cemented until his great-grandma, Esther, convinced him that he had the potential to be successful in basketball.
"My great-grandma has really helped me stick to basketball," Davis said. "There was a time when I really just wanted to give up playing and she told me that I had come too far to give up. I needed to follow my dream. Now that I'm here I look for her when I run out onto the court. Once I see her in the stands and know that my family is watching me, that gives me a purpose to play."
Esther Davis is one of several family members that cheered him on in high school, and that support will continue during his time as a Spartan.
"When I found out he was coming to Michigan State, I was just really happy," Esther said. "I think he has done a great job. It means a lot to me â€" the way he respects me and he knows that I am always here for him."
Davis also looks to Keith Guy, his high school coach at Muskegon. Guy led his team to a 23-2 season last year with Davis averaging 18.3 points, 15.2 rebounds and 6.7 blocks per game as a senior, one year after capturing the Michigan Class A state championship.
Guy helped Davis with his entire college process, helping him get to where he is today. He encouraged Davis to attend basketball camps which helped him get noticed and soon after that, he began to receive college offers.
Since Davis has realized his potential, he has been recognized over and over for his talent on the court. He was named a 2015 McDonald's All-American, was the 2015 Hal Schram Michigan Mr. Basketball Award winner, was selected to play in the Jordan Brand Classic All-America Game, and was rated no. 22 in the nation by ESPN100, to name a few.
Davis has established his presence on the court and continues to stay confident in his team as well as himself.
"Over the summer and during the season, we've all gained a lot of respect for each other, got to know each other and built a lot of trust and chemistry," Davis said. "The team has made it really easy for me coming from high school. I remember the first time I came to MSU for an open gym I got on the court and all the guys said to me ‘welcome to the family.' Since then we've had such a good bond."
Davis was quick to mention senior center Matt Costello's name, crediting him for help with his defense, which is definitely Davis' forte.
Ranking among the Big Ten leaders in blocks, Davis' defense has garnered lots of attention. In his debut against Florida Atlantic, Davis recorded 11 rebounds, 13 points and 5 blocks, making him one of three MSU freshmen to achieve a double-double in their debut, joining the likes of Derrick Nix and Matt Steigenga, both of whom went on to have successful MSU careers.
With a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Davis makes blocking shots look effortless, claiming that it is "second nature" to him.
As the 2015 Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year, Davis has grown up playing in front of large crowds, which "is a motivation to play better." In high school, Davis had his own fan section named ‘Team Davis.'
"It was basically like my own section for all of my family and friends to sit together and watch me play," Davis said. "About 50 people came to all of my high school games. That meant a lot to me that my family would come out and support me every game."
Now at MSU, Davis is thankful for the unending support from the Izzone, which is part of the reason why he was so drawn to play basketball here.
"Playing for the Izzone is one of the best feelings," Davis said. "I like playing with big crowds like that watching because if I'm ever having a bad game I can feed off of the energy. It helps me get comfortable. I play better in front of big crowds, it makes me more confident."
His reserved demeanor keeps him levelheaded on the court and helps to maintain his ‘just another game' mentality.
"I try to look at every game as just another game, just another time to get on the court with my team," Davis said. "All I need to do is have confidence and trust in my teammates and we will always get the job done."
As Davis continues to chase his dream at MSU, his family and friends look forward to what he will be able to accomplish.
"I always knew he was going to accomplish his goals," Bonnie said." "He just needs to stay focused and get a good education â€" that's number one. After that he can go on to accomplish the rest of his dreams."
