Freedom forward Donovan Davis (24) chases down a loose ball against Slinger in a game in the Rick Majerus WBY Shootout on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin. © Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Iowa State hosted a rising star in 2027 prospect Donovan Davis Wednesday at Hilton Coliseum as the Cyclones took down No. 9 Kansas in a top 10 showdown.
The 6-foot-8 prospect out of Wisconsin came away impressed with the energy that coach T.J. Otzelberger’s team had.
“(Brandt) Chatfield looked really good against (Hunter) Dickinson – (Dishon) Jackson coming off the bench and bringing all of that energy… I mean that was really fun to see,” Davis said.
The Cyclones weathered the Jayhawks in a rocking Hilton Coliseum for their 28th-straight home win – the second longest streak in the country.
That’s exactly what Otzelberger and assistant coach J.R. Blount wanted Davis to see.
“Coach (Otzelberger) came up to me and said that he wanted to me experience what they were going through there – with the big win they had (against Kansas),” Davis said.
The defense Iowa State played in that game particular was another point of emphasis.
“I think Iowa State’s been a good defensive team, especially Wednesday in their game,” Davis said. “They forced however many turnovers – and they really disturbed Kansas. They’ve said I’m a really good defensive player that can play 1-5 and a lot of other things that they really like my game.”
Davis can shoot the three, utilizes the ball fake well and plays defense well.
That’s a part of his game that he’s developed as he’s gotten older, one that undoubtedly stuck out to Iowa State’s staff.
“I always used to like offense because you get to score and do all of this other stuff, but in the last year in a half – around my freshman year of high school – I kind of realized that defense was way more important,” Davis said. “Once you play really good defense for a very good possession, that turns into more offensive possessions. My game’s (consisted) of more defense and rebounding than it had before.”
Davis has lived in Wisconsin his whole life, and plays for Freedom High School in Kaukauna as well as Team Herro in the EYBL.
In the midst of his sophomore season, Davis has picked up offers from both Wisconsin and the Cyclones.
“It’s been a blessing,” Davis said. “I’ve been working on this since I first started playing basketball. For my goals, I’ve always wanted to go step-by-step. The first step was to get a college offer, but just because I’ve finished that goal doesn’t mean I don’t go for new goals.”
Although he didn’t grow up a fan of Wisconsin, Davis has watched the pair of big programs in his home state, but also draws memories of watching a former Cyclone in Ames.
“I’ve watched them, but I wouldn’t say I was like a fan, I guess you could say,” Davis said. “I obviously watched (Wisconsin) and Marquette a lot. Iowa State is one of those teams I would watch, because of Tyrese Haliburton coming from Wisconsin.”
It’s early in his recruitment, but Iowa State has established a connection here. In the meantime, Davis will turn to his goal of a state championship later this season.
“Now, my new goal is just to finish high school with, hopefully, a state championship in such a small town in Wisconsin that not really a lot of people know of,” Davis said.
