Player Spotlight: Eric Davis

As the 2015-2016 basketball season approaches, HornSports basketball recruiting analyst Jon Nemec brings you spotlights of the incoming freshmen.

The Shaka Smart era begins with a talented class of freshmen ready to mix with the experienced group of upper classmen already on campus. Saginaw (MI) Arthur Hill guard Eric Davis committed to Texas late in the process, and chose to stay on even after Rick Barnes was dispatched from Austin. Davis is the second guard in the class along with Galena Park – North Shore scorer Kerwin Roach, and the talented combo look to give the Horns more of an outside presence.

Film Analysis:

Eric Davis is a 6’3 170 pound combo/shooting guard. Right off the bat it is easy to notice his fluid and natural athleticism that pairs well with his basketball skill. He will most likely stick to the shooting guard position, but he can flip over and play point guard when and if needed. He runs the floor very well in fast break situations with or without the ball in his hands however he is most dangerous with the ball. He dribbles fast and with control, and does a great job of lulling a defender to sleep on a fast break before he accelerates past them for a lay-up. He can also pull up on the fast break from the 3-point line and and sink it.

Davis is a good shooter from the perimeter. Like Roach, he has a great pace and stroke to his shot, elevating well on the jump and releasing the ball at the highest point. His form has perfect follow through from the pocket of his body straight up to the release. He sometimes has a little bit of a fade or lean in his jump shot, which will help to avoid defenders, but can contribute to misses if it happens too much. It does not seem to happen enough to warrant concern, and a lot of time players’ shots become so grooved that even with a bit of a lean it does not affect their shooting ability. He can make a shot literally from any place on the floor as his range extends past the 3-point line.

Davis is very good on the dribble drive to the basket, as he handles the ball well and maintains body control. Like most high school athletes he dribbles high at times, which is an area for future improvement. He has a fantastic array of moves on the drive to get to the rim or pull up for a jumper. He takes the ball strong, takes contact well and finishes more than he misses scoring in the paint. His athleticism is on display when he goes to the paint.

Davis has several areas for improvement ahead of him. He will need to work on keeping his handle low and tight and using screens better. He’s a skilled driver and therefore rarely uses screens, but adding a screen game will make him that much more deadly. Davis gets to the lane well but at the college level guys are going to be bigger and taller. He will need to be able to pass out of a drive.

Final Verdict:

Shaka Smart has a fantastic young guard that can get up and down the floor fast, which is the essence of Davis. With fellow freshman Kerwin Roach, this is great point guard/ shooting guard combo. Smart has a fantastic mix of veteran and young talent that will keep this back court healthy and strong for years to come.