Could Former SNL Cast Member Pete Davidson Be Next Razorback to Sign?

A fun look at how deeply insane this never ending Arkansas transfer portal has driven things

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Jun 13, 2023 7:21 AM EDT
Original:
Jun 12, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – So bear with me on this one. It's gonna get a little out there, but it's summer, the fans could use a little something fun to entertain themselves, and quite frankly, checking Google and Twitter every few seconds to see whether Grant Nelson has made up his mind on behalf of Razorback fans is driving me a little nuts.

Last week, a video dropped of actor-comedian Pete Davidson running games at UNLV with surprisingly good skill. Frankly, it caught a lot of people off guard because athleticism is not exactly the reputation he has built as part of his living in mom's basement partaking of leaf-based substances persona. Yes, Davidson caught a little flack for cutting the edit just before completing the execution of his dunk, leaving a little mystery to the imagination as to how it played out, but everything else that could be seen was way more athletic than it ever should have been.

Adding to the paradox that is Davidson, he's way taller than he looks on screen. We're conditioned to see an actor look larger than life on television only to find out he's actually 5-foot-7 and requires extra short actors around him to make him look a solid size. Yet, just like his dating list far exceeds perceived expectations, so does Davidson's height. He's somewhere between 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3. That's a solid basketball size.

It's here where the mind started wandering. Let's say Arkansas coach Eric Musselman isn't able to land Nelson. Logic states if the scholarship can't be filled, then pay it forward to a walk-on. If that's done, then the Razorbacks definitely have a roster spot available.

Now we all know Musselman is a huge fan of celebrities, especially ones that feel like they wouldn't typically be associated with Northwest Arkansas. Next thing you know, they're in the basketball facilities, those infamous Musselman next to huge star the younger generation has to explain to the older generation photos popping up alongside a video of that celebrity interacting with the team or slinging chicken down on MLK, and the Razorbacks are getting an extra boost of visibility and street cred with future recruits.

So, if the team is going to have a walk-on who's going to cause fans to go nuts every time he hits the floor only to then completely melt down into a frenzy if he takes a shot, then why not up the ante? Bring on Davidson. Musselman knows how to navigate celebrity. There's NIL money out there for him. Plus, it's an instant Netfllix documentary that probably has financial backing as this is being typed for a production similar to what Motley Crue's Tommy Lee did when he went back to college for a semester and joined the marching band as a drummer.

And it's not like Davidson wouldn't go for it. This is the man who got bored (that's what we'll call it) and bought a ferry on a whim with then fellow SNL star Colin Jost. Unlike that ferry that was supposed to be fashioned into a huge party boat, this actually has potential to make money.

Plus, it's the most Pete Davidson thing he could do. Walk up to any SNL fan, show them the basketball video and say you heard he was working out in Vegas because he's getting ready to walk on for the Arkansas Razorbacks as part of a documentary deal with Netflix. That person isn't going to bat an eye because it's what would be expected and they're probably pumped to see it.

Now, is Davonte Davis going to show up on your streaming service teaching Davidson how to execute NBA level Devo lockdown defense? Probably not. But imagine how many jerseys he would sell the second he got drafted next season if it did take place.

Look, we all know it's a long shot. But more than half of you have been nodding along thinking "Yeah, that would make some money and be kinda fun to watch," while the rest of you will close this out, go ask your child or grandchild who he is, then ask who Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian are before it occurs to you Kanye West is the guy who interrupted Taylor Swift getting an award for her music video. It will all conclude with a gruff scoff that it's the dumbest thing you've ever heard.

To that, the only thing that can be said is that it's summer, baseball ended early, football is so far off you wouldn't recognize it if Pete Davidson threw one through your window, and after another 20 checks since this story began, Nelson still hasn't decided where he's going so this never ending transfer portal tracking can finally end.

Just lighten up everyone. The rest of June is going to be long enough as it is if you don't.