| Ed Davis |
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| Basic Per Game Statistics - Comprehensive Stats - Statistical Top 25s |
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| Top NBA Draft Prospects in the ACC Part One (#1-5)
October 18, 2009
Matthew Kamalsky
A consensus top-10 recruit, Ed Davis had the attention of NBA decision-makers from the moment he suited up for the North Carolina Tar Heels last fall. Though he didn’t display the most polished skill set, after playing a small role for the National Champions, Davis was a potential lottery pick last season based almost entirely on his upside. Wasting no time in voicing his decision to return to school, the freshman positioned himself as a top-10 prospect for the 2010 draft and a player to watch in the upcoming season.
It isn’t hard to see what makes Davis such a highly regarded prospect despite his lack of experience. Standing roughly 6’10 and possessing an outstanding wingspan, Davis displays excellent mobility and coordination for a player still only scratching the surface of his remarkable promise. Passing the look-test with ease, the only aspect of Davis’ physical profile that can be considered problematic is his lack of ideal strength. Possessing a fairly narrow frame, it won’t be easy for Davis to add weight, but he’ll have plenty of time to fill out as his game continues to emerge.
Though Davis averaged a respectable 6.7 points per-game last season, a number that will likely double this season with graduation of Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, and Ty Lawson to the NBA. Playing a purely complementary role, Davis showed the flashes of brilliance that one would expect from a player with his tools. Creating opportunities for himself by working hard on the offensive glass and being the beneficiary of countless draw and kicks from his teammates, Davis displays absolutely tremendous touch around the basket –something Roy Williams consistently took advantage of last season.
Though Davis will need to develop his lower body strength to establish position on the block at the next level, he saw almost 40% of his possessions in the post and shot 48.8% when operating with his back to the basket last season according to Synergy Sports Technology. Lacking a great deal of polish or much in the way of counter moves, Davis scores most of his points operating over his right shoulder, displaying good extension on his hook shot. He’ll need to improve his comfortable level with his right hand to avoid becoming predictable, but has essentially no trouble shooting over his defender whenever he decides to elevate. For a freshman post player with a lot of room for improvement, Davis looks smooth and decisive, two things that bode well for his ability to diversify his post game in the future.
While Davis already shows a natural feel for getting his shot off in close, he doesn’t display much in the way of a midrange game at this point. Able to face-up and put the ball on the floor for one or two straight-line dribbles, Davis can get to the rim off the bounce when the opportunities presents itself, but he didn’t shoot many jump shots last season, and will need to develop better follow through on his jumper to open up opportunities to use his other tools on the next level. Though Davis shoots the ball with an especially high release point from in close, his midrange jump shot isn’t nearly as refined, featuring a long and inconsistent release that hurts his efficiency from outside of 12-feet. His ability to become more than just a catch and finish option in his second season will be an important factor in how he is perceived by NBA-types next summer.
Defensively, Davis has already taken some notable steps. Ranking in the top-20 in our database in both rebounds per-40 minutes pace adjusted as well as blocks per-40 minutes pace adjusted, the activity level Davis displays when working without the ball on the offensive end carries over seamlessly to the defensive side of the ball. Not the most explosive defender laterally, Davis’s length is a tremendous asset to him defensively. Staying low and moving his feet well when defending the ball and stepping out on the pick and roll, the young big man still has a lot to learn, as he’s prone to over-committing to help his teammates, staring down the ball, and recovering a step slow to shooters out on the perimeter. Still able to bother some shooters with his length even when he doesn’t close out in time, Davis will show some good things on the block as well, doing a nice job going straight up to use his wingspan, showing good quickness, and solid discipline. As Davis develops his defensive fundamentals and awareness, he’ll become a very solid defender at the NCAA level, but his ability to add weight will be a big factor in how easily he can make the transition to the NBA.
Ed Davis enters his sophomore year with a lot to prove. Though he shows some nice tools, his role last season was limited –something that will change considerably this season. One of Roy Williams’ top returns, Davis will be looked to for production and clutch play. His ability to deliver on both fronts, coupled with his physical development and ability to diversify his offensive game, will be key to his maturation as a player and 2010 draft stock.
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Nike Hoop Summit Recap: Team USA
April 16, 2008
The son of a former NBA player, Davis displayed nice upside throughout the week, but has plenty of work to do before he can be considered an immediate NBA prospect. Showing good length, he scores the majority of his points facing the basket from mid-range. He can step out and hit jumpers out to 15 feet, and seems comfortable operating anywhere from within 10-15 feet of the basket. The future Tar Heel uses his length as an advantage on the glass, and plays very actively on both ends of the floor.
Davis must first and foremost add weight to his skinny frame. The forward weighs in at just around 200 pounds as it is, and will struggle to adjust to the more physical players in the ACC during the first part of his freshman season. Back to the basket scoring will also need to be an area of focus for the incoming freshman. It looks like he could develop a nice lefty hook to rely on with his back to the basket, but he just tends to face up and shoot the jumper at this point. With added strength, Davis would become much better on the defensive end of the floor as well.
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2008 Spalding Hoophall Classic -- Elite Prospects
January 21, 2008
This wasn’t really a major test for Ed Davis (#10 Scout, #20 Rivals), as the organizers decided to pit his team against a depleted St. George squad rather than the originally scheduled matchup with Samardo Samuels and St. Benedict’s. Nevertheless, Davis worked hard in the three quarters he participated in (he sat out the last quarter of pure garbage time), showing his strengths and weaknesses as a collegiate prospect.
Davis has excellent tools for a power forward, with decent size, outstanding length and a frame that is currently fairly narrow, but should fill out with time. Davis runs the floor well, is quick off his feet, and can really elevate to contest shots or finish around the rim.
Offensively, Davis played mostly in the low post today, although he has a reputation for being someone who can play inside and out. He didn’t seem to have a problem going to work with his back to the basket, showing some nice spin-moves, a solid jump-hook, and really nice patience and poise operating in the paint. When faced with a double team, he didn’t have a problem finding the open man, as he generally seems to be a pretty smart, unselfish player.
Davis does almost all of his damage right now with his left hand (shot-blocking, scoring, and dribbling), looking pretty limited with his right—which isn’t that much of an issue at this level. He’ll have to develop his right hand into being at least somewhat of a weapon if he’s to reach his full potential down the road, though. The thing we liked the best about the way Davis played today was the aggressiveness he showed finishing around the hoop. He does not settle for soft finishes here, going up and dunking everything with two hands, aided greatly by the terrific extension he has here thanks to his wingspan. Davis also uses this same extension to establish himself as a force on the glass, particularly on the offensive end. He was incredibly active here, fighting constantly inside and getting his hands on plenty of loose balls.
Facing the basket, Davis attempted just one jumper on the day, a nice-looking 16 footer which he missed. He was used mostly as an old-school back to the basket pivot. He didn’t show any ball-handling skills either.
Defensively, Davis was solid, blocking some shots and altering others. There wasn’t much to evaluate here since he really wasn’t challenged by anyone noteworthy, but he did do a good job from what he was asked to do. He’s got good potential in this area as a collegiate player thanks to his length and solid athleticism, but he’ll need to add 15-20 pounds to his frame before he’ll really be able to play serious high-level minutes defensively in the ACC. That should come eventually.
All in all, it looks like North Carolina has landed itself another very solid role player. Davis has the chance to develop into more than that, but it will take him some time. He looks to be on the right path.
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Pitt JamFest: Top 2008 Prospects
May 2, 2007
Davis did not disappoint with his statistical output throughout the week, although his team was bounced awfully early in tournament play given all of the talent that they possessed. He showed why many consider him the nation’s top power forward, as he rebounded the ball consistently, showed the ability to play out of the high post, and of course used his patented athleticism to finish everything around the rim. By our accounts there was not a game in which Davis had less then 16 points on the weekend, a testament to his consistency. On the defensive end, the Virginia native uses his massive wingspan and outstanding leaping ability to block/alter his fair share of shots, making opposing big men think two (and three) times before putting the ball up in the paint against himself and Ty Walker.
In order for Ed to fulfill his fullest potential, he must continue to improve as a ball handler and midrange jump shooter. While his low post moves are quite solid at the moment, he goes left almost every time, making him quite predictable to guard. Either way, the Virginia native has just as much (if not more) potential then any power forward in the class and appears to be on the right path to fulfill that.
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