(Missouri State-West Plains Photo)
Radshad Davis, a 6-foot, 4-inch redshirt freshman guard from Nassau, Bahamas, signed a national letter of intent to play for the University of Texas-Arlington (UTA) Mavericks beginning this fall.
He signed his paperwork during a press conference Monday afternoon, April 30, in the parlor of Kellett Hall on the Missouri State-West Plains campus.
“I chose UTA because it’s the best place for me to continue my basketball career and studies,” Davis said. “The facilities and campus are amazing, and the coaching staff knows what it takes to become a great basketball player and person.”
“Radshad had a number of good options and made a solid choice with UTA,” Grizzly Basketball Head Coach Chris Popp said. “He saw this as his best opportunity. They have signed a couple of freshmen, but they have a need for experience at his position.
MSU-WP Coach Chris Popp commented at the signing:
This past season, Davis averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He shot 57.5 percent from the field, 30.9 percent from 3-point range and 80.9 percent from the free throw line and earned first team All-Region 16 honors.
Despite an injury-shortened career, Davis has sprinkled his name among the Grizzlies’ all-time top 10 lists. He finishes his career eighth in free throws made in a season (123), sixth in career field goal percentage (79.5), seventh in 2-point field goals made in a season (170) and first in career field goal percentage (57.5).
Although he played only one full season for the Grizzlies, Davis left a lasting mark on the program. “On the court, we can point to his statistics, and as impressive as those were, they do not do him justice,” Popp said. “Radshad was not one to blow up his numbers against lesser opponents or stick out when we were rolling. But if we were struggling, if it was a big game, a big play needed, he was the guy who seemed to find a way to get the stop, the rebound, somehow be open on a cut, get a run-out basket, etc. He simply came through when it mattered.
“That was never more apparent than in post-season play this year. Through two region tournament games, he was our MVP, helping us win with big defensive and rebounding efforts. In three games, he averaged a double-double at 16.6 points and 10 rebounds per game. That includes a clutch 17-of-18 performance from the free throw line,” Popp added.
“He has been our leader, our toughest competitor, our best overall defender, and our most reliable, consistent performer this year. That wasn’t just on the court,” the coach said. “Radshad has been just as reliable everywhere else for us, always on time and on top of what needs to be done. He has been a great teammate, a worker in the weight room and classroom, and a great representative of our program across the board. The way he has performed and conducted himself earned him the Outstanding Men’s Basketball Student Athlete of the Year Award this year at our Celebration of Leaders student awards ceremony. He also was voted our team’s Defensive Player of the Year, a team captain and our co-MVP along with Ricky Torres.”
Davis will once again join a team with a first-year head coach. On April 6, UTA officials announced Chris Ogden would be taking over the helm of the Maverick program. Ogden, a former Big 12 and Southeast Conference assistant, played for head coach Rick Barnes and served on his staff for 13 seasons at both the University of Texas and the University of Tennessee. He spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach under head coach Chris Beard at Texas Tech.
“Coach Ogden appreciates what Radshad brings. That is huge. Coaches talk about wanting intangibles, but most tend to lean towards playing the longest, most athletic, most talented offensive players. Coach Ogden values Radshad’s traits, which gives him a greater opportunity. I am happy that he will be in a good place, a good program and around good people,” Popp said.
“Due to his injury as a freshman, Radshad leaves with three years (of eligibility),” the coach continued. “By the time he leaves that program, I am certain he will have made a similar mark to what he has at Missouri State-West Plains. It will be fun to watch him these next three years. It is a good league, and I am excited that he will be playing close by at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock and Arkansas State University. I’m sure there will be some road trips ahead for (Assistant Coach) Ken (Moses) and I.”
Davis’s signing is a special moment for Popp. Davis was the first recruit Popp signed when he took over the Grizzly Basketball program two years ago. “I knew he was a good sign, but I had no idea just how special he was going to be for us, for this program and for me as a first-time head coach,” Popp said.
“Having one of your best players, who is also someone you can absolutely count on in every way, is priceless,” the coach added. “He trusted me two years ago, came to a program in trouble with a new coach and zero players on the roster. That’s a pretty big leap of faith. Since then, he has been one of the main catalysts in propelling Missouri State-West Plains back to national prominence. Along with Ricky, Yannis (Mendy) and Terrell (Whitaker), Shad leaves here as part of the group that brought a revival of sorts to Grizzly Basketball. He has helped us lay a foundation for what is to come.”
Davis said he will leave Missouri State-West Plains with very fond memories. “My experience at Missouri State-West Plains was one of a kind,” Davis said. “It helped me become a better person and player.”
For more information about the Grizzly Basketball program, visit the team’s website, https://wp.missouristate.edu/grizzly/bb/, or call 417-255-7991.