At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today's edition will highlight Luke Davis of Moravian Prep and Team Wall.
Teams like Moravian Prep tend to receive a lot of attention because of their star players but it's guys like Davis that can legitimately get a squad over the hump. Although he has the ability to be a star for numerous different programs within North Carolina, Davis has chosen to maximize his presence and identity to stand out as one of the best role players around. Guys like Josh Hall, Shakeel Moore, and Jamahri Harvey see lofty scoring totals on a nightly basis while Davis looks to make hustle plays and create havoc without the ball in his hands. Additionally, his presence continues to improve on both ends of the floor. Davis is capable of operating from the low block or stepping out to knock down perimeter jumpers but also knows how to move as an off-ball cutter. He's also a reliable defender and two-way rebounder that consistently plays within himself and the team concept.
Last March, Davis attended our NC Top 80 camp, where we stated: 'Continuing onto a player that currently sits at an incredible crossroads between productivity and long-term potential, Luke Davis. He's a long, wiry forward prospect with high-level athleticism and a blossoming skillset. Davis is already equipped to create for himself and others, but is smart and operates nicely within the team concept. He's a walking mismatch, due to his blend of size, skill, and explosion. Davis is a great two-way rebounder, quality defender, and absolute menace in transition. Next in his development process is working to become craftier with the ball in his hands, as it would make him an even better penetrator. Coach Gray on Davis: 'Luke has great size, agility, and athleticism. He's really good with the ball for a kid his size. He shoots it well from all three levels and competes on every possession on both ends of the floor. He's a high IQ player that makes everyone around him better. Luke has a great body and is as strong as any kid you'll see at this age. His game will translate at the next level.' Davis has an abundance of appealing tools and actually finished as the leading scorer from camp, which is just another reason that Division I programs should be all over the athletic forward.'
Currently, Davis has become something of a hot commodity between Division II programs. Lander, Catawba, Young Harris, Limestone, and Quincy have all extended scholarship offers within the last six months. We've reached the point where Division II schools are trying to seize an opportunity that Division I programs have potentially let fallen through the cracks in Davis. Maybe it's because he isn't trying to be an offensive focal point, but Davis certainly has the ability to help out a variety of programs at the Division I level. However, multiple Division II schools will happily accept and utilize his services for the foreseeable future.
