Former NBA player Antonio Davis visited Ottawa this weekend for the NBA All-Star KidsFest held at the YMCA and the NBA all-Star Challenge held at Carleton.
Before becoming a dominant NBA player and All-Star, Davis had to overcome being an undersized 6’9” forward.
Davis began his professional career by playing in the Greek and Italian leagues, which he expressed as a growing experience.
“Going over there at 22 was a great learning experience. I had to grow up real fast. I was taking care of myself and it was a job. Going from college to Europe was mind-blowing at first, but I got used to it,” Davis said.
The Indiana Pacers drafted Davis in 1990 in the second round. He played for 13 years in the NBA, and played for the Toronto Raptors, the Chicago Bulls, and the New York Knicks. Out of all the teams he played for in his career, Davis said he enjoyed playing in Indiana and Toronto the most.
“Indiana was good because I think there was such appreciation from the fans that if you are diving on the floor to get the ball they appreciate that. In Toronto we had to teach them that, but once they got it, it was great,” Davis said.
Davis said Toronto was great as he had the opportunity to teach fans about basketball and see basketball grow in Canada, which he said was something that will always resonate with him.
Reflecting on his career, Davis said the most memorable moment for him was when he was chosen to go to the all-star game. He describes it as a surreal moment.
“I just remember being in that locker room with those guys and it almost felt like it wasn’t real. A lot of the guys that I respected, that I was playing against and now I’m playing with them. I questioned why I deserved to be there,” Davis said.
In 2012, Davis became an NBA analyst at ESPN, which is currently his job.
Davis said the analysis part of his job doesn’t make him miss playing, but he misses being with his teammates.
“I miss being in the locker room and all the jokes we used to play on each other. I do miss that, I really do,” Davis said.
Out of the many years he has worked at ESPN, he said the most memorable moments have been with the people he gets to meet.
“I remember when I first got there, it was more the height of football season in November to December and I am meeting all these football players who I used to just watch on TV and now they are retired. Jerry Rice was one of my favourites because I grew up in the Bay [San Francisco area] and he played for the 49ers, and I’m meeting this guy and having a conversation with him and he actually knows who I am, so it was just awesome to meet someone like that,” Davis said.
He said his love of the game was what made him want to participate in the NBA All-Star tour in Ottawa. Davis spoke passionately about the Carleton men’s basketball team.
“Obviously people don’t understand how hard it is. They throw those numbers around as if it’s nothing, but to be the best at anything for a long time takes a lot,” Davis said.
He said he made fond memories during his first-ever visit to Ottawa.
“This has been awesome. I have never been to Ottawa before, but my memories will be that the food is great, people were nice, it was a little cold but I did something special,” Davis said. “The kids were awesome, so energized—you give me kids and a gym and I could be there all day.”
