Razorback Basketball Players Lets High Schoolers Load Up With Shopping Spree

Arkansas guard used NIL money at Dick's Sporting Goods to give back to former team, community

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Aug 12, 2023 9:02 AM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On Friday a text came through from the wife that said a member of the Razorback basketball was using his NIL money to directly support students from his high school.

Before ever looking into it, the thought process went a lot like this.
"Is it Devo Davis? It's Devo Davis isn't it? Yeah, this sounds like Devo Davis."
Shocking twist though. It was actually, uh, Devo Davis.
That's right. In the tune of that earworm of the popular song from Marvel's "Wandavision," it was Devo all along.

Just in time for back-to-school season, Arkansas guard Davonte Davis packed out a North Little Rock Dick's Sporting Goods with basketball players from his alma mater, Jacksonville High School. There he used his NIL benefits with the company to give each member of both the boys' and girls' teams a $175 gift card to buy anything in the store they wanted.

It was an effort by Davis to give back a little of what he received during his time on the team with veteran Jacksonville head coach Victor Joyner. Anyone who has ever spent more than a few minutes observing teachers knows a big part of the job often involves dipping into their own wallets to provide students with food and supplies either their families or the schools can't or won't supply. And while fans are often quick to label Davis with the infamous heart of a Razorback moniker, those who spend more time watching Davis beyond Tuesdays and Saturdays have repeatedly described him as having the heart of a coach.

"I think this is great being able to do things like this for the community that you are coming from," Davis told a KATV crew documenting the moment for its newscast. "I think it's an awesome opportunity."

Davis played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Jacksonville Lighthouse School where he led his team to the 2A state semifinals his first year while averaging 16 points followed by 18.4 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds the next season. He then transferred to Jacksonville High where he played for Joyner. There his improvement continued as he evolved into a national Top 100 player, averaging a gaudy 21 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and three steals per game while leading the Titans to a co-state championship his senior year. Jacksonville was slated to take on West Memphis in the title game, but it was cancelled due to COVID.

"I really do appreciate Coach Joyner, who I played for in high school," Davis said. "Hard-nosed coach. Knows what he's doing. A great guy off the court, so I can't thank him and the team enough."

Davis helped the players with their shopping sprees, flagging down workers to inquire about shoe sizes, sometimes even for himself. He then took time to take pictures with various Jacksonville players as well.

"I can't be more excited to give back to the kids who are growing up in Jacksonville right where I was," Davis said. "I'm glad they were able to come down here and enjoy this time with me and me be able to give this to them and they be able to experience this. When I was in high school, I wasn't able to get what they're getting now, so it's really a blessing."

It was an opportunity born out of his return for a senior year with Eric Musselman's Razorbacks. That return was in doubt down to the final minutes of the window to return to college after declaring for the NBA draft. Still, despite how long it took, Davis said the ultimate decision was an easy one.

"Coming back was a no-brainer," Davis said. "Was I transferring? Never. I did test the waters out with the NBA and that was a great process. But other than that, coming back with the support I'm getting from the staff, from the fans and everyone around the community, it's been awesome. I can't wait to start the season and get it rolling."