Deveraux Davis Jr. (198-F, college: Tuskegee) is a 198cm forward from Minnesota that began his basketball career at Hopkins high school. He began his basketball career at Illinois Central College and then played 3 seasons with Tuskegee University (NCAA2 playing a total of 63 NCAA 2 games. In his last 2 seasons at Tuskegee he averaged 8.3ppg, 4.7rpg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 85.0% and 6.6ppg, 3.5rpg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 82.8%. He will take part in the Howard Hoops Combine in Italy and spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Deveraux for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball treating you at the moment?

At the moment I’m currently a basketball trainer in my hometown town of Minneapolis, Minnesota. I’ve been training young kids for about three to five months. I work for a company called Legacy Hoops which is coordinated by Rahmeen Underwood and Ryan Martin. Both Coach Underwood and Martin have been a huge blessing. The reason being is that they’ve allowed me to use the facility to not only train the kids, who take part in the program but myself as well.

You just finished your college career a year ago. You took part at a tour in Portugal, but didn´t land a job for last season. How tough is it cracking the market overseas?

It’s very tough to crack the overseas market, especially if you didn’t go to a Division 1 school. I went to Tuskegee University which is a Division 2 school in Tuskegee, Alabama.

How excited are you to be testing the pro waters this summer? This summer you will be showing your game in Italy. How confident are you that things will work out?

I’m very excited to test the pro waters this summer. I’m a firm believer that when you’re given an opportunity that you have to maximize it. I’m very confident that it will all work out.

You will be taking part at the Howard Hoops Combine in Italy. Will this be your first time overseas? With what type of expectations are you coming

This will not be my first time overseas. My only expectation is that I go to Italy and play hard. If I play hard everything else will take care of itself

How did you find contact to CEO Ron Howard? His network keeps growing from day to day.

I found contact to CEO Ryan Howard from one of my co workers at Legacy Hoops. He told me about a showcase which happened to be Coach Howard’s.

How aware are you of his incredible track record of more than a decade of getting guys jobs overseas for more than a decade now?

I’m very aware of Coach Howard’s track record. I believe Coach can put me in position to land an overseas job, I just have to do my part.

What was your first impression of him? What did you appreciate first from him about his demeanor and character?

My first impression of Coach Howard was good. When we talked on the phone I instantly knew that he was serious about what he does.

It is really difficult for NCAA 2 guys find jobs overseas but it has been done more than not. How big is your hunger to prove people wrong?

It’s very hard for NCAA Division 2 guys to land overseas jobs. The reason being is that we don’t come from a Duke, Michigan State or one of big schools. In all honesty I’m not trying to prove anybody wrong, if anything I’ve been doing that my whole career. I went from a guy that barley played in high school, to a guy that went to a juco ( graduated there) then a 4 year ( graduated there). If I’ve proved anything this far it’s been that I don’t give up and that I always find a way.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 198cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the bill?

If I had to compare my game to an NBA player it would be Jaden Mcdaniels. I’d say him because we both have similar builds, we can guard multiple positions. I also play Defense as well.

You seem to be a guy that can be that glue guy type. Is that a true assessment of your game?

Yes, that’s very true. I’m a guy that can do it all. I can go out there and get that steal, key rebound, knock down shots, make the right pass. Overall, I just keep the game simple and play the right way.

Talk about your overall strengths as a player on the offensive end? Do you feel like you could become a go to guy if called for?

Yes, I believe I can be a go to guy. In college I was more of a role player that made big plays. At Tuskegee I played with a lot of good players who could score the ball, especially our two all Americans Devin Booker and Gregg Boyd. Seeing those two prepare showed me how to be a go to guy.

Talk a little about your defensive game. What kind of defender are you right now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I’m a tenacious defender, I pride myself on being a two way player. I was always coached that defense will keep you on the floor.

On what areas of your game are you tweaking most right now so you can make the next step as a player?

I’m currently working on becoming a better ball handler and shooter. Since I’ve been home from college for about a year now all I’ve been working on is my ball handling and shooting.

You played at Illinois Central College. What memories do you have of those 2 years? How did JUCO ball treat you? It is a real grind. What did you learn from the experience?

Juco ball helped me tremendously. I was blessed to have played for the legendary Coach Tony Wysinger. Coach Wysinger played NCAA Division 1 ball at the University of Illinois, where he had a great career. Coach Wysinger is arguably one of the best point guards to come out of Illinois.

You then played at Tuskegee University (NCAA2) from 2020-2023. How important were these 3 years for your basketball development? How did your game grow in these years?

My three years at Tuskegee Univeristy were very important. They were imporant because It felt like a second chance. Before coming to Tuskegee I was at a different school. Once I got to Tuskegee Coach Taylor really gave me the confidence to find my love for the game again.

You had many great games at Tuskegee University like scoring 20 points in a nail bitter win over Morehouse. What was your personal favorite game there?

My favorite game in a Tuskegee uniform would have to be my senior year against Kentucky State (Conference Tournament Quarter Final). That game I had 13 points and 8 rebounds. This game showed myself that I could still play pro. The reason being is because after we lost I felt like I had more to offer after basketball in college.

You won the “Joe Lampley” Male Athlete of the Year award”. What does this award mean to you today?

Winning the Joe Lampley award meant a lot to me because out of all three seasons at Tuskegee I never made an all conference team. But I was still known as a good player on my team. It showed that my hard work that season was paying off.

How did Benjy Taylor groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Taylor was tremendous for me. He pushed me not only to be a better ball player but become a better man. He’s a great human being that shows tuff love but in the end he wants you to succeed.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Martez Jones?

The last time I played Martez I won. But we’ve had some competitive battles, Martez is the most athletic person I’ve ever played with. He’s like a brother to me, we’re very close.

Who is the best player that you ever faced on a court that reached the NBA?

The best player I’ve ever faced on the court that’s in the NBA is Chet Holmgren. We’re both from the state of Minnesota, we played against each other in high school. I also train with Lawrence McKenzie. He’s a Minnesota basketball legend, he won four straight basketball high school basketball titles in the state of Minnesota for Patrick Henry High School. He later went on to play at Oklahoma University and finished up at the University of Minnesota.

Please name your 5 favorite teammates of all-time?

No particular order… Damond Crosby, Steven Dulley, Gregg Boyd, Duck Gibson, Mason Green.

What is your personal NBA mount rushmore of past or present heads?

Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan, Kobe, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen

Who is your GOAT and why?

My Goat is Allen Iverson, he’s the first person jersey I ever wore. I have a picture of me as a baby wearing his jersey.

Did you see the sequel to the classic coming to America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

Yes I’ve seen the sequel and no I’m glad they made a sequel it was funny.

Thanks Deveraux for the chat.