re: UA Basketball Recruiting

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Where will JD Davison go? This question is stirring in the minds of basketball fans, as the No. 2 point guard nationally in the Class of 2021 released his top six last Friday.

Will he join one of the in-state powers, further extending the bitter rivalry between Alabama and Auburn?

Will Penny Hardaway's recruiting prowess win him over to Memphis? Or does the 5-star prospect take the 'blueblood' route and join Bill Self and Jayhawk nation?

It's too early to tell, but Davison, the No. 14 player in the Class of 2021, according to ESPN, gave the Advertiser a little insight on why he chose each school Monday when the Calhoun School players received their 2020 state championship rings.

Here's what he had to say about each.

Alabama

Nate Oats, who coached the Crimson Tide to a 16-15 record in his first season, is known for his fast-paced, ball-pressuring, run-and-gun style. Davison thrives in a system like this and plays in a similar system under coach Ervin Starr at Calhoun.

This is what attracts Davison the most to Alabama, he told the Advertiser, as his athleticism and elite court vision would thrive at its highest capacity in this style of play.

Davison: "For Alabama, it's how they are coming at me, the coaching staff and mostly the style of play."

Auburn

What would pull Davison away from Alabama, and others, into Auburn's grips? The answer: the recent history of its point guard play and the history it hopes to build.

Davison said he has been paying attention to guards who have come through Auburn lately and referred to the Tigers as 'PGU' (Point Guard University).

The addition of Sharife Cooper, the No. 2 point guard in the Class of 2020, per 247Sports, further solidifies Davison's claim and makes Tigers serious contenders for Davison's services.

Davison: "You have top point guards going through there, so they fit me right ... 'PGU.'"

Kansas

The bluebood always speaks and often gets the final word. Kansas is the household basketball name of the group and Davison knows it.

He referred to the Jayhawks as a "dream" school when talking with the Advertiser, but will that be enough to get him to commit? The Jayhawks already have two ESPN Top 100 commits from the Class of 2021, thus far.

Davison: "You know Kansas. That's a 'bluebood' school and one of my dream schools. So, yea I think about that (Kansas)."

LSU

No different than what he feels about Alabama, play style is the name to the game here. Coach Will Wade wants to play with transition in mind, creating scoring opportunities through defensive pressure and outlets.

This style helped the Tigers reach the Sweet 16 in 2018-2019 and Davison seems adamant on playing in these type of systems.

Davison: "Oh yea, they play fast down the court defense, so I just think they fit me, too."

Memphis

Davison said he can look no further than names like Hardaway and Derrick Rose. With the name recognition Memphis brings and the recruiting power Hardaway wields, imagining Davison in a Memphis jersey is not hard.

A season ago, Hardaway sported a roster with five players from ESPN's Top 100 for the Class of 2019 and will add another from the Class of 2020 this season. Will Davison be the first for the 2021 Class?

Davison: "Memphis, you have hall of fame coaches, hall of fame players coming through there."

Michigan

What draws Davison to Michigan? Yes, it's the obvious: Coach Juwan Howard. Davison said he likes the history behind Howard and his time at Michigan.

Last season was Howard's first with the Wolverines as a coach and where he led them to 19-12 record before the COVID-19 pandemic cut postseason short.

Davison: "You have Juwan Howard — Hall of Famer — and other good coaches. And their style of play really fits me."

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