Wisconsin Basketball: Where is Johnny Davis going in recent mock drafts?
By Lucas Valind
Johnny Davis is a Wisconsin Basketball legend. Despite only playing in two collegiate seasons, Davis managed to achieve such a high level that he will be remembered as one of the program’s all-time greats.
In his freshman season with the Badgers, Davis came off the bench behind a starting lineup that played mostly seniors. Once the seniors moved on, Davis was going to be thrown into the fire and expected to be one of the team’s leaders.
It was what Davis was able to do with his increased role as a sophomore that he will be remembered for. Davis put together one of the greatest seasons in school history and has the accolades to show for it. First-team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Player of the Year, and First-team All-American are some of the most notable.
Davis finished the season with averages of 19.7 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, and 2.1 assists per game. Davis scored 612 points on the season, the seventh most in a single season by a player in school history.
Davis’ production led to a lot of hype around him not only as a college player but as an NBA draft prospect as well. Davis’ name wasn’t one that was seen on draft boards before the season started, but his name only continued to rise with each new entry. Davis officially declared for the NBA Draft following his stellar sophomore season at Wisconsin and most mock drafts have him as a lottery pick.
Where is former Wisconsin Basketball star Johnny Davis going in recent mock drafts?
Pick 10: Washington Wizards
"“The Wizards will certainly look to improve their backcourt, both in the draft and free agency, after cycling through a cascade of guards in an injury-plagued season. Davis brings many of the winning intangibles the Wizards should be looking for with his defensive versatility, unselfishness and ability to score with or without the ball. He would fit well alongside the ball-dominant Bradley Beal and looks ready to contribute immediately coming off an All-America season, despite being relatively young at 20. Some NBA executives believe this pick could be available in a trade for a more immediate impact guard.”"
Pick 8: New Orleans Pelicans
"“Jose Alvarado and his viral defensive tactics make him a perfect backup behind CJ McCollum, who is playing the best individual basketball of his life since the Pelicans empowered him to be the team’s lead playmaker. Their respective success should give New Orleans only more reason to find one more guard, and Davis could be the perfect two-way addition. As Big 10 Player of the Year, Davis provided defense, playmaking, and midrange scoring with size. He needs to extend his range, but there’s not a lot else to knock him for. Pair him with Alvarado and opponents will have headaches trying to score. Pair him with McCollum, and the Pelicans could be impossible to stop on offense. What are you supposed to do about Zion, McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Davis? Plug in Herb Jones or Jonas Valanciunas as the fifth man, and the Pelicans will be winning a lot of games soon.”"
CBS Sports - Colin Ward-Henninger
Pick 14: Cleveland Cavaliers
"“Depending on what they do with Collin Sexton, the Cavs could use an extra playmaker and shot creator outside of Darius Garland, and that’s exactly what Davis is. He’s adept in the pick-and-roll, with the ability to finish with both hands, draw fouls or pull up for mid-range jumpers. His 6-9 wingspan gives him potentially elite defensive upside as well, so he’d be an impressive prospect for Cleveland to nab at No. 14.”"
NBC Sports Edge - Raphielle Johnson
Pick 9: San Antonio Spurs
"“Davis had a very good sophomore season at Wisconsin, averaging 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 1.2 3-pointers per game. If there was an issue it was the percentages, as he shot 42.7% from the field and 30.6% from three, but he’s an athletic swingman who can play through contact. The perimeter shooting will need to improve, but Davis is the kind of player who can benefit from the improved spacing for the NBA game. Playing alongside a natural playmaker in Dejounte Murray would benefit Davis, who did have occasional issues with turnovers once asked to take on more of the playmaking responsibilities for the Badgers.”"
There is no one set place where mock drafts currently have Davis, but if there’s one thing that they’ve all agreed upon, it’s that he will be a lottery pick. Wisconsin Basketball hasn’t produced many lottery picks over the years, so let’s hope that Davis will be a trailblazer for the program’s future.