Overview

Not for a decade has the Tide had a sensational shot blocker dominate the action like Davidson.

His average of 2.3 blocks per game as a senior was the highest by an Alabama player since Rogers posted a school season-record average of 4.9 blocks in 1996. His 221 total blocks rank fourth on the school's all-time list behind Robert Horry (286, 1989-92), Rogers (266, 1993-96) and Leon Douglas (235, 1973-76). He is also the 40th player in school annals to score more than 1,000 points (1,268) in a career.

Excelling as a shot blocker and rebounder is nothing new for Davidson. During his only season at Wheeler High School as a senior, he set school records for blocks and rebounds. In one game, he scored 24 points with 15 rebounds and 14 blocks, earning Metro Atlanta Boys Prep Team of the Year honors.

Prior to attending Wheeler High, Davidson lettered at Stone Mountain High School, where he averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds per game as a junior. He also competed in track, clocking 5-minute, 45-second one-mile run. He played AAU ball with the World Wide Renegades and attended the Nike All-America (though he was injured there) Camp and Michael Jordan Capital Classic.

As a freshman at Alabama in 2003-04, Davidson averaged five points, 1.4 blocks and 4.3 rebounds per game in 2003-04, earning Freshman All-Southeastern Conference honors from the league's coaches. In his first collegiate game at Madison Square Garden against ranked Pittsburgh, he pulled down 10 rebounds. He stepped into his first game at a sold-out Rupp Arena and left with 10 rebounds against the then top-10 ranked Kentucky. He would go on to start 28 of UA's 33 games on Bama's first NCAA Elite Eight team.

In 2004-05, Davidson appeared in 32 games, pulling down 7.9 rebounds with 7.6 points and 1.5 blocks per game, earning Associated Press All-SEC third-team recognition as he started every contest. He produced 14 rebounds at Auburn and at Tennessee, adding 10 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He declared for the 2005 NBA Draft, but later withdrew his name when he was told he was not first-round material.

Davidson was a first-team All-SEC choice by the league's coaches in 2005-06, adding NABC and USBWA All-District first-team honors. Starting all 32 games, he tied for the team scoring lead with an average of 14.3 points scored per game. He led the Tide with 276 rebounds (8.9 rpg), grabbing a career-best 19 rebounds against Memphis (a one-seed in the NCAA tournament). He averaged 1.2 assists and 1.9 blocks per game, as he posted 11 double-doubles (points/rebounds), including five games with over 20 points.

The All-SEC second-team choice, Davidson added NABC All-District honors as a senior in 2006-07. He registered 419 points (14.0 ppg) while averaging 32.3 minutes of action in 30 starts. He averaged 8.2 rebounds with a career-high 70 blocked shots (2.3 bpg) while shooting 77.5 percent from the charity stripe and 40.7 percent from the field.

Davidson started 121 of 126 games at Alabama. He shot 474 of 1,016 from the field (46.7 percent), including 4 of 19 from 3-point range and a 117 of 151 (71.7) from the free-throw line for 1,268 points (ranks 23rd in school history), a 10.1-point average. He finished with 28 career double-doubles, including 11 as a senior. He ranks 10th in school annals with 918 rebounds, an average of 7.3 per game. He had 105 dunks, 221 blocks and 68 steals while dishing out 127 assists. He was charged with 269

Personal

fouls and had 191 turnovers.

Scouting Report

Positives: Has a large wingspan, minimal body fat and an impressive standing reach...Despite just an average vertical jump, he times his leaps well and uses his reach efficiently to block or alter shots...Shows good quickness to play in an up-tempo attack, getting up and down the court with good balance and body control...Has the loose hips and mobility to get out on the perimeter as a defender, but needs to do a better job of keeping his body in front of his opponent to prevent slashes to the basket...Has a nice mid-range shot from 15-feet out when he sets his feet properly...Shows good hands fielding the ball and is very comfortable working in the high post...Does a good job coming off the low block to get up or under the opponent to execute a nice baby hook shot...Has the loose hips to deliver the turnaround jumper and enough quickness to surprise a lethargic defender and drive to the basket...Quick getting to the basket to help on putbacks and has the big hands to combat for the offensive rebound...Best when scoring on finesse moves, as he still needs to develop a power game...Has the length and release point to get his jumpers over the defender...If given room in one-on-one confrontations, he shows the ability to punish the defender with his fading jumper...Demonstrates the balance to execute the hesitation move, as he is capable of scoring with either hand...Has adequate enough ball-handling skills to put the ball on the floor and shoot off the dribble.

Negatives: Good rebounder and shot blocker, but lacks ideal strength to maintain position in the paint at the next level and needs to add bulk, along with power to take on the NBA-caliber forwards...Until he improves his strength and frame, he will be a bit of a liability working in the post...Lacks ideal court vision, ball-handling skills and instincts, as he will bite on pump fakes and hesitation moves...Tends to lose focus on defense, especially after getting into foul trouble (backs off contact at times) and needs to play with a more consistent effort...Must be more alert to action in the paint, as he doesn't get good position or show aggression when he should be boxing out his man...Also must improve his vision and make a better effort to get to loose balls...Lack of power might limit him to small forward, but he is still a work in progress in trying to develop his offensive game...Has a good mid-range shot, but drops his elbow too much, making his shots too erratic shooting from the perimeter...Shows no confidence in taking 3-point shots, having had only 19 attempts, making four, during his career...Needs to be more determined to take the ball inside, as he prefers to take easy shots rather than drive to the basket and draw contact, where his ability to shoot free throws would be an asset...Lacks good 5-on-5 skills, as he fails to establish his presence inside and will back away from contact...When he gets bounced out of the paint, he tries to settle for off-balance shots with minimal success.

Compares To: SHANE BATTIER, Houston. Davidson lacks Battier's defensive skills, but both are solid defenders with good length and elevation. Davidson has a nice mid-range jump shot, but needs to add more bulk and strength, as he tends to shy away from contact driving to the basket and his offensive game needs refining. He must do a better job of maintaining defensive focus and, while he is agile and tall, his lack of strength will limit him to small forward early in his pro career. But his minutes might be hard to come by, as he doesn't have the perimeter game to play at that position.

Orlando Pre-Draft Camp Measurements:

7-4 Wingspan...91/2 Standing Reach...6.9 percent Body Fat...30-inch Vertical Leap...185-pound benchpress: seven reps...12.63 Lane Agility...3.53 Court Sprint (3/4).

High School:

Attended Wheeler (Atlanta, Ga.) High School as a senior, where he set school records for most blocks and rebounds...In one game that year, he scored 24 points with 15 rebounds and 14 blocks, earning Metro Atlanta Boys Prep Team of the Year honors...Prior to attending Wheeler High, Davidson lettered at Stone Mountain High School, where he averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds per game as a junior...Played AAU ball with the World Wide Renegades and attended the Nike All-America (though he was injured there) Camp and Michael Jordan Capital Classic.

Personal

General Studies major...Represented the USA in France on a NIKE-Select touring team and played in the event's final four against France in the summer of 2004...Started playing basketball as an eight year old...Older brother, Dewayne Watkins, died on December 20, 2006...Son of Madonna Davidson...Born 11/15/84...Resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

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