Deyonta Davis
{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1996)}}
{{distinguish|Davonte Davis}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Deyonta Davis
| image = 20150401 MCDAAG Deyonta Davis outlet.JPG
| image_size = 230px
| caption = Davis at the McDonald's All-American Game in 2015
| position = Power forward / center
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 237
| league =
| team = Free Agent
| number =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|12|2}}
| birth_place = Muskegon, Michigan, U.S.
| high_school = Muskegon (Muskegon, Michigan)
| college = Michigan State (2015–2016)
| draft_year = 2016
| draft_round = 2
| draft_pick = 31
| draft_team = Boston Celtics
| career_start = 2016
| years1 = {{nbay|2016|start}}–{{nbay|2017|end}}
| team1 = Memphis Grizzlies
| years2 = 2017
| team2 = →Iowa Energy
| years3 = 2017
| team3 = →Memphis Hustle
| years4 = 2018–2019
| team4 = Santa Cruz Warriors
| years5 = {{nbay|2018|end}}
| team5 = Atlanta Hawks
| years6 = 2019–2020
| team6 = Santa Cruz Warriors
| years7 = 2021–2023
| team7 = Taoyuan Leopards
| years8 = 2023
| team8 = Goyang Sono Skygunners
| years9 = 2023–2024
| team9 = Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
| highlights =
- 2× T1 League All-Defensive First Team (2022, 2023)
- 2× T1 League blocks leader (2022, 2023)
- McDonald's All-American (2015)
- First-team Parade All-American (2015)
- Mr. Basketball of Michigan (2015)
}}
Deyonta Davis (born December 2, 1996) is an American professional basketball player. He won the Mr. Basketball of Michigan in 2015 and appeared in the McDonald's All-American Boys Game the same year.{{cite web|title=Deyonta Davis, Muskegon|url=https://247sports.com/Player/Deyonta-Davis-35510|website=247Sports.com|access-date=18 April 2015}}{{cite web|title=Deyonta Davis Player Profile|url=http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Deyonta-Davis/Summary/73162|website=RealGM|access-date=18 April 2015}} He played one season of college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans before being drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 31st overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on draft night.
High school career
Davis attended Muskegon High School in Muskegon, Michigan. In his final season, he recorded 4 points and 12 rebounds in the state regional finals, as Muskegon escaped Hudsonville in quadruple-overtime. He played his final game for the Big Reds on March 24, 2015, in a 52–75 quarterfinals loss to Everett High School. He contributed 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks. It was played only three miles from the Michigan State University campus. Davis said after the loss, "It was very important [to help my team advance]. We came out ready to play, but the game just didn't go our way."{{cite web|last1=Edwards III|first1=James L.|title=Mr. Basketball ends prep career at state quarterfinals|url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/03/25/mr-basketball-deyonta-davis-muskegon/70414942/|website=MLive.com|access-date=18 April 2015}} The game was attended by MSU assistant basketball coach Dwayne Stephens, who helped recruit him to his team. Davis also got the chance to meet Spartans players before competing. As Muskegon's star left his team, head coach Keith Guy said, "The future is bright. Two games don't define his career."
By the end of the season, Davis was named Mr. Basketball of Michigan for 2015. In the balloting, he earned a total of 5,223 points. Arthur Hill's Eric Davis and Everett's Trevor Manuel finished after him, getting 3,757 and 2,837 points respectively. The award was won by two straight players from Muskegon High School, Deshaun Thrower winning in 2014. Big Red coach Guy complemented his team, saying, "To have another kid win it for the second consecutive year, it shows how far our program has come the last three years."{{cite web|last1=Opfermann|first1=Mark|title=Michigan State-bound Deyonta Davis of Muskegon takes Mr. Basketball in stride, looks ahead to state quarterfinals|url=http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/-4313036224146602674/deyonta-davis-takes-mr-basketball-in-strides-looks-ahead-to-state-quarterfinals/|website=MLive.com|date=23 March 2015 |access-date=18 April 2015}} Davis was given his personal Mr. Basketball trophy between the quarters of the Michigan state title game, in which Saginaw's Arthur Hill played against Detroit's Western International. He said in disappointment, "I'd much rather be on the floor playing right now."{{cite web|last1=Dacey|first1=Justin|title=Muskegon All-American Deyonta Davis receives personal Mr. Basketball trophy on future home court at Michigan State|url=http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/-5286539964536213125/muskegon-all-american-deyonta-davis-receives-personal-mr-basketball-trophy-on-future-home-court/|website=MLive.com|date=28 March 2015 |access-date=18 April 2015}}
On April 1, 2015, Davis competed in the 2015 McDonald's All-American Boys Game, playing for the West team. He played alongside the likes of Brandon Ingram, Allonzo Trier and Jalen Brunson and against future NBA All-Stars Jaylen Brown and Ben Simmons, and other high school phenomenon's like Diamond Stone and Cheick Diallo. Davis finished the game with 6 points and 9 rebounds, leading his team in the latter category.{{cite web|title=McDonalds All-American Game|url=http://basketball.realgm.com/highschool/mcdonalds/Boxscore/2015|website=RealGM}} In January, when he was named to the game, Bank Hoops scout Steve Bell said, "This is huge for West Michigan." The forward was the first player from that region to appear at the stage since Matt Steigenga in 1988.{{cite web|last1=Brandenburg|first1=Scott|title='This is huge for West Michigan': Muskegon star, MSU signee Deyonta Davis' McDonald's All-American selection is historic|url=http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/5791379732197396760/local-and-state-wide-reaction-to-muskegon-senior-deyonta-davis-selection-as-mcdonalds-all-american/|website=MLive.com|date=29 January 2015 |access-date=18 April 2015}}
College career
Davis played one season at Michigan State, averaging 7.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, and 1.6 blocks per game. Davis started 16 of the final 17 games of the season for the Spartans.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3937101/deyonta-davis|title=Deyonta Davis|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2016-04-13}} Davis was a key part to Michigan States record setting start to the season, Big Ten tournament championship, and MSU's 2nd overall final rank in the AP Poll. He set the school freshman record with 64 blocked shots, second-most in a single season in program history.{{Cite web|url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2016/04/12/deyonta-davis-nba-michigan-state/82934542/|title=Tom Izzo knew Deyonta Davis wouldn't be at Michigan State for long|website=Detroit Free Press|access-date=2016-04-27}}
Professional career
= Memphis Grizzlies (2016–2018) =
Davis declared for the draft on April 12, 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15189884/deyonta-davis-leave-michigan-state-spartans-enter-nba-draft-one-season|title=Spartans freshman Davis to enter NBA draft|website=ESPN.com|date=12 April 2016 |access-date=2016-04-13}} Davis and teammate Denzel Valentine were selected to attend the 2016 NBA Combine. Davis hired Bill Duffy as his agent.{{Cite web|url=http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Deyonta-Davis-81960/|title=DraftExpress NBA Draft Prospect Profile: Deyonta Davis, Stats, Comparisons, and Outlook|website=www.draftexpress.com|access-date=2016-05-03}}
While Davis was consistently labelled as a lottery selection all the way until the day of the draft, he was chosen by the Boston Celtics with the 31st overall pick. He therefore became the first green room invitee to not hear his name get called in the first round since Maciej Lampe in 2003's NBA draft. Davis' rights were later traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on draft night.{{Cite web|url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2016/06/23/deyonta-davis-2016-nba-draft/86301022/|title=NBA Draft MSU's Deyonta Davis Drafted 31st Overall by the Boston Celtics|website=Detroit Free Press|access-date=2016-06-24}}
On July 12, 2016, Davis signed a fully guaranteed three-year, $4-million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/davis-signed-160712|title=Grizzlies sign 2016 second round draft pick Deyonta Davis to multi-year contract|work=NBA.com|date=July 12, 2016|access-date=July 12, 2016}}{{cite web|last=Charania|first=Shams|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--deyonta-davis--grizzlies-agree-to-three-year---4m-guaranteed-deal-185306456.html|title=Sources: Deyonta Davis agrees to richest guarantee for American second-round pick|work=Yahoo.com|date=July 10, 2016|access-date=July 19, 2017}} The deal marked the richest guaranteed salary for an American-born second-round pick in NBA history. On December 15, 2016, he was ruled out for six to eight weeks with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CAGrizBeat/status/809557045275951104|title=Grizzlies rookie Deyonta Davis is out 6–8 weeks...|work=Twitter|date=December 15, 2016|access-date=December 15, 2016}} During his rookie and sophomore seasons, Davis received multiple assignments to the Iowa Energy and the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies' G League affiliates.{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/assignments/|title=2016–17 NBA Assignments|work=NBA.com|access-date=March 11, 2017|archive-date=January 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126075350/http://dleague.nba.com/assignments/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Memphis-Grizzlies/14/Transaction_History/2018|title=2017–2018 Memphis Grizzlies Transactions History|work=RealGM.com|access-date=April 15, 2018}}
=Santa Cruz Warriors (2018–2019)=
On July 17, 2018, Davis was traded, along with Ben McLemore, a 2021 second-round pick and cash considerations, to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Garrett Temple.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-acquire-ben-mclemore-deyonta-davis-2021-second-round-draft-selection-and-cash|title=Kings Acquire Ben McLemore, Deyonta Davis, 2021 Second-Round Draft Selection, and Cash Considerations|work=NBA.com|date=July 17, 2018|access-date=July 17, 2018}} On September 22, 2018, Davis was waived by the Kings.{{cite web |title=Kings Waive Deyonta Davis |url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-waive-deyonta-davis |website=NBA.com |access-date=September 22, 2018 |date=September 22, 2018}}
On October 11, 2018, Davis signed with the Golden State Warriors.{{cite web|title=Warriors Sign Free Agent Forward Deyonta Davis|url=https://www.nba.com/warriors/news/warriors-sign-free-agent-forward-deyonta-davis|date=October 11, 2018|work=NBA.com|access-date=October 11, 2018}} The Warriors released him on October 12.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/warriors/news/players-waived-20181012|title=Warriors Waive Davis, House Jr., Nunn and Ulis|access-date=October 13, 2018|date=October 12, 2018|work=NBA.com}} He was then added to the Warriors’ G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors.{{cite web|title=Santa Cruz Warriors Announce 2018 Training Camp Roster & Schedule|url=https://santacruz.gleague.nba.com/news/santa-cruz-warriors-announce-2018-training-camp-roster-schedule/|website=NBA.com|date=October 22, 2018|access-date=October 23, 2018|archive-date=October 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023161117/https://santacruz.gleague.nba.com/news/santa-cruz-warriors-announce-2018-training-camp-roster-schedule/|url-status=dead}}
=Atlanta Hawks (2019)=
On March 19, 2019, Davis was called up to the Atlanta Hawks and signed a 10-day contract.{{cite web|title=Hawks Sign Deyonta Davis to 10-Day Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/hawks-sign-deyonta-davis-10-day-contract|website=NBA.com|access-date=March 20, 2019|date=March 19, 2019}} He signed a second 10-day contract on March 29.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/hawks-sign-deyonta-davis-second-10-day-contract|title=Hawks Sign Deyonta Davis To 2nd 10-Day Contract|work=NBA.com|date=March 29, 2019|access-date=March 29, 2019}} On April 8, 2019, following the expiration of his second 10-day contract with Atlanta, Davis signed a multi-year contract with the Hawks.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/atlanta-hawks-sign-deyonta-davis-multi-year-contract|title=Atlanta Hawks Sign Deyonta Davis To Multi-Year Contract|work=NBA.com|date=April 8, 2019|access-date=April 8, 2019}} On June 10, 2019, Davis was waived by the Hawks.{{cite web |title=Atlanta Hawks Request Waivers on Deyonta Davis |url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/atlanta-hawks-request-waivers-deyonta-davis |website=NBA.com |access-date=June 10, 2019 |date=June 10, 2019}} He averaged four points and four rebounds in nine games.
On the same day, Davis was claimed off free-agency waivers by the Houston Rockets.{{Cite web|url=https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2019/06/12/report-rockets-claim-deyonta-davis-off-waivers-from-hawks/|title=Report: Rockets claim Deyonta Davis off waivers from Hawks|date=2019-06-12|website=Rockets Wire|language=en|access-date=2019-06-12}} On July 30, 2019, he was waived.{{Cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/rockets-news-houston-waives-deyonta-davis-and-chris-chiozza/|title=REPORT: Rockets Waive Two Players Ahead Of Contract Guarantee Date|last=Bernstein|first=Noam|date=2019-07-30|website=ClutchPoints|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-30}}
=Return to Santa Cruz (2019–2020)=
On October 29, 2019, Davis was included in the training camp roster of the Santa Cruz Warriors.{{cite web|url=https://santacruz.gleague.nba.com/news/santa-cruz-warriors-announce-training-camp-roster|title=Santa Cruz Warriors Announce Training Camp Roster & Schedule|date=October 29, 2019|work=NBA.com|access-date=October 29, 2019|archive-date=October 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030022338/https://santacruz.gleague.nba.com/news/santa-cruz-warriors-announce-training-camp-roster/|url-status=dead}} On February 23, 2020, Davis posted 18 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in a loss against the Stockton Kings for his sixth straight double-double.{{cite news |title=Deyonta Davis: Sixth straight double-double |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/deyonta-davis-sixth-straight-double-double/ |access-date=May 18, 2020 |work=CBS Sports |date=February 24, 2020}} He averaged 11.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in 2019–20.{{cite news |title=Deyonta Davis: Another double-double |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/deyonta-davis-another-double-double/ |access-date=May 18, 2020 |work=CBS Sports |date=March 6, 2020}}
=Taoyuan Leopards (2021–2023)=
On November 19, 2021, Davis signed with the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League.{{cite news |title=戴維斯加盟桃園雲豹 曾獲密西根州籃球先生 |url=https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20211119003393-260403?chdtv |accessdate=November 19, 2021 |work=China Times |date=November 19, 2021}} He was the league's blocks leader for the 2021–22 season.{{cite web|title=Facebook Post|url=https://www.facebook.com/T1LEAGUE.Basketball/posts/327356966208764|website=Facebook|date=May 21, 2022|accessdate=May 21, 2022}}{{cite news |title=T1職籃年度5大數據王出爐 林秉聖神偷成唯一本土之光 |url=https://sports.ettoday.net/news/2256036 |accessdate=May 21, 2022 |work=ETtoday |date=May 21, 2022}} On June 30, 2022, Davis was selected to the all-defensive first team of the T1 League in 2021–22 season.{{cite news |title=T1最強防守專家是他！ 林秉聖再奪2項年度防守大獎 |url=https://sports.ettoday.net/news/2283985 |accessdate=June 30, 2022 |work=ETtoday |date=June 30, 2022}} Davis re-signed with the Taoyuan Leopards.{{cite news |title=戴維斯獲選年度防守第一隊 下季續披雲豹戰袍 |url=https://udn.com/news/story/7002/6426360 |accessdate=June 30, 2022 |work=United Daily News |date=June 30, 2022}} He was the league's blocks leader for the 2022–23 season.{{cite news |title=雲豹3外援帶走3獎項 林韋翰包辦助攻、抄截王 |url=https://udn.com/news/story/7003/7124636 |accessdate=April 26, 2023 |work=United Daily News |date=April 26, 2023}} On May 10, 2023, Davis was selected to the all-defensive first team of the T1 League in 2022–23 season.{{cite news |title=林韋翰領銜防守第一隊 「魔獸」霍華德也入選 |url=https://sports.ltn.com.tw/news/breakingnews/4297166 |accessdate=May 10, 2023 |work=Liberty Times Net |date=May 10, 2023}}
=Goyang Sono Skygunners (2023)=
On July 17, 2023, Davis signed with the Taichung Suns of the T1 League.{{cite news |title=T1火鍋王轉隊了！ 戴維斯加盟台中太陽 |url=https://sports.ettoday.net/news/2541723 |accessdate=July 17, 2023 |work=ETtoday |date=July 17, 2023}} On October 5, Davis signed with the Goyang Sono Skygunners of the Korean Basketball League.{{cite news |title=[용병닷컴통신]베넷 떠난 소노, 새 외인 찾았다...NBA리거 디욘타 데이비스 영입 |url=https://jumpball.co.kr/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065542658218465 |accessdate=October 5, 2023 |work=점프볼 |date=October 5, 2023}} On December 26, Davis was replaced by DaJuan Summers.{{cite news |author1=정지욱 |title=소노, 다시 한 번 외인교체...데이비스 대신 누구? |url=https://jumpball.co.kr/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065587658123163 |accessdate=2023-12-26 |work=점프볼 |date=2023-12-26}}
=Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers (2023–2024)=
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
=NBA=
==Regular season==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2016}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Memphis
| 36 || 0 || 6.6 || .511 || – || .556 || 1.7 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 1.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2017}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Memphis
| 62 || 6 || 15.2 || .608 || – || .667 || 4.0 || 0.6 || 0.2 || 0.6 || 5.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2018}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta
| 9 || 0 || 13.1 || .682 || .000 || .600 || 4.0 || 0.6 || 0.3 || 0.6 || 4.0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" | Career
| 107 || 6 || 12.1 || .599 || .000 || .635 || 3.2 || 0.4 || 0.2 || 0.6 || 4.2
|-
{{s-end}}
==Playoffs==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2017
| style="text-align:left;"| Memphis
| 3 || 0 || 3.7 || .600 || .000 || .500 || 1.7 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 2.3
|-
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" | Career
| 3 || 0 || 3.7 || .600 || .000 || .500 || 1.7 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 2.3
|-
{{s-end}}
=College=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2015–16
| style="text-align:left;"| Michigan State
| 35 || 16 || 18.6 || .598 || .000 || .605 || 5.5 || .7 || .3 || 1.8 || 7.5
|-
{{S-end}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|Deyonta Davis}}
{{basketballstats|nba=deyonta_davis|bbr=d/davisde01}}
- [http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/deyonta_davis_979906.html Michigan State Spartans bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701135056/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/deyonta_davis_979906.html |date=2016-07-01 }}
{{2016 NBA draft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Deyonta}}
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:American expatriate basketball people in South Korea
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Taiwan
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:Atlanta Hawks players
Category:Basketball players from Michigan
Category:Boston Celtics draft picks
Category:Goyang Sono Skygunners players
Category:Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers players
Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans
Category:Memphis Grizzlies players
Category:Memphis Hustle players
Category:Michigan State Spartans men's basketball players
Category:Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball)
Category:Santa Cruz Warriors players
Category:Sportspeople from Muskegon, Michigan