Adelaide 36ers plan talks on Kendric Davis extension as star import reveals son’s inspiration
A trip home to see his three-year-old son for the first time in months helped inspire Kendric Davis’ post-ban explosion — and Adelaide 36ers hierarchy has taken notice.
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Adelaide wants to keep star import Kendric Davis in a 36ers jersey beyond this season, the club set to enter January talks with the NBL MVP candidate in hopes of locking him into a multi-year deal.
The 25-year-old has been a revelation in the City of Churches this season and has not hid his love for Adelaide, the club, fans and his teammates.
The feeling is mutual, general manager of basketball Matt Weston confirming to Code Sports officials will meet with Davis’ representation next month in the hope of securing a long-term commitment.
“Both parties want to talk, that’d be great for our club (re-signing Davis),” said Weston, who added the club wanted to support Davis in his quest to make it in the NBA.
“He’s an amazing player and the next four to five years, we’re going to see some amazing things out of him, if not in this league, it’ll be in the NBA.
“He’s a great kid and he’s been an amazing pick up.”
The American, 25, is among the five youngest imports in the NBL this season, so there’s naturally been a few bumps — most notably the two-game suspension over the crowd clash in Melbourne — and it’s led to some frank conversations.
But, after escaping that scrutiny with a trip back to Houston to spend time with family, he’s returned to Australia with a “pop” in his step.
Davis credits ‘K2’ — three-year-old mini-me Kendric Jr — for helping him reshape his outlook on basketball and life.
“To me, he’s Junior, Kendric Davis II, I call him K2,” Davis said.
“Before coming to Adelaide, we never spent not a day apart so not seeing him for three months, four months, not seeing my family, period, It’s been hard for me, being my first time ever leaving the country and out my comfort zone.
“That was huge going to go see him. That’s my best friend. He’s been there every step of the way and that’s been a huge push factor with me.
“He’s been able to rejuvenate me and I thank (club owner) Grant (Kelley) and (chief executive) Nic (Barbato) and Matt for making that happen and I just wanted to come back and show my appreciation and come out with a bang.”
That bang has been more of a nuclear explosion, Davis emerging as an NBL force with 37 points and 11 assists, 36 and 9 and then 24 and 8 for post-ban averages of 32.3 points, 9.3 assists, 5.33 rebounds and 1 steal on 12/25 from deep.
That’s levels above an already high standard, which Davis said has come from a growing familiarity in the NBL.
“I’m just grinding, getting more comfortable, learning the league, learning (coach) Mike (Wells’) system, just getting better every day,” he said.
“It’s my second year pro and I’ve still got a lot of growing to do, which Matt’s been huge, Mike’s been huge, in telling me ‘man, you still young, you one of the youngest imports in the league, it’s going to come with up and downs’.
“Anywhere you go, there’s an adjustment, from high school to college, college to NBA, NBA to NBL.
“I pride myself on my work, I trust in the system and I’ve got great teammates that want me to be great and expect me to be great.
“I try to rise to the occasion and most importantly, just trying to win games and make the city of Adelaide proud.”
Davis is wary of the challenge Brisbane — winners of four of their last five, including a 19-point December 6 hammering of the Sixers — poses on Christmas Eve, particularly given the Sixers laid an egg against South East Melbourne on Sunday.
“They are a very good team and they’re jelling at the right time,” he said.
“The teams that jell in January will be the teams at the end and they look like they’re one of those teams.
“They’re very well coached, play together, they’re connecting and they’re confident in themselves, so it’s going to be a good challenge.
“It’s a dogfight every night and that’s the reason why this is one of the hardest leagues in the world.
“If you don’t come prepared you will get beat and you will look up and be ninth, 10th on the ladder before you even blink an eye.
“All that matters is come January 15, 20 you’ve stacked some wins and put yourself in position to make the playoffs. Long as you get in, you give yourself a shot.”
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