Davis signs with the University of Texas-Arlington

Davis signs with the University of Texas-Arlington
Rashad Davis.

Rashad Davis was one of three players from the Missouri State University (MSU) West Plains Grizzlies basketball team to sign with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I programs yesterday.

The 6’4” redshirt freshman guard from Nassau, Bahamas, signed a national letter of intent to play for the University of Texas-Arlington (UTA) Mavericks beginning this fall.

According to Davis, the school’s layout, coupled with the team’s vision for his game, were the deciding factors in his selection.

The Mavericks compete in the Sun Belt Conference. The team last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2008, where it lost against No.1 seed Memphis in the first round, although Memphis was later forced to vacate the win to infractions.

“Well firstly, the layout of the school was very, very nice,” Davis said.

“It caught my attention right away. We also talked about the role I’d play here next year. They said that they liked the way I was able to defend all three wings on the perimeter. Because I’m able to that, they said I would be playing right away, and I am looking forward to it.”

This past season, Davis was one of West Plains’ top scorers.

He averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He also came up with 1.3 steals per game and shot 57.5 per cent from the field, 30 per cent from behind the three-point line and earned first team All-Region 16 honors.

Although his true freshman year was cut short due to injury, Davis still ranks as one of the best players to ever suit up for West Plains.

He finishes his career eighth in free throws made in a season (123), sixth in career field goal percentage (79.5), seventh in two-point field goals made in a season (170), and first in career field goal percentage (57.5).

About Randy Smith

Randy Smith is the producer of the widely-watched local television show “Beyond The Headlines” and the web content manager of Eyewitness News. He joined Eyewitness News as a sportscaster in 2018, a role he still performs, and has previously covered a slew of international sporting events, including the 2015 Pan American Games, the Nike EYBL Showcase, several IAAF World Relays, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, the Commonwealth Youth Games, the Bahamas Bowl and multiple CARIFTA Swimming and Track & Field Championships. Randy has been recognized by the Bahamas Press Club with awards for “Best Sports Broadcast” as a sportscaster and “Best TV Talk Show” as a producer.