Spurring Rock Valley on to its second national championship in three seasons, LT Davis was honored Monday as the 2015-16 Spalding® NJCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Player of the Year by the NJCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Committee. The Rockford, Illinois, native completed his two-year collegiate playing career as a two-time national champion after previously leading the Golden Eagles to their first NJCAA title in 2013-14.
Ranking in the top 50 in scoring, Davis averaged 17.9 points per game – connecting on 43.8 percent of his shots from the field, including 40.7 percent from beyond the arc. The sophomore guard was a valuable asset in all phases of the game as he posted 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game on the year.
Davis’ dominance began from the opening tip of the season as he led Rock Valley to a 78-66 upset win at DI preseason No. 6 Vincennes (Ind.). Scoring a career-high 30 points to go along with 12 rebounds and five assists, Davis played arguably the best game of his collegiate career in the stunning victory over the Trailblazers.
At the NJCAA DIII Men’ Basketball Championship – when the lights were at their brightest – Davis stepped up his game and showcased his talent on the national stage. He received tournament MVP honors after averaging 17 points and 5.3 rebounds in three games. During Rock Valley’s 88-75 win over Rochester (Minn.) in the championship game, Davis knocked down 7 of 14 shots from the field – including 3 of 4 from the 3-point line – for a tournament-high 25 points, adding five rebounds and three assists to the effort.
Having concluded his two-year collegiate playing career with the Golden Eagles, Davis is considering completing his playing career at NCAA DII Southern Indiana, Minot State or in the NAIA at Pikesville or Our Lady of the Lake.
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Photos courtesy of Rock Valley Athletics and Sullivan County Athletics.
Spalding® DIII MBB Player of the Year honors go to Davis
