Oct. 6, 2008
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by Patrick Sojka
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Jermain Davis chose to play basketball at the University of Iowa for one main reason — the coaching staff.
“As soon as I came here, I really liked the coaches,” said Davis. “The staff treated me really well on my visit. Coach (Todd Lickliter) is a great teacher.”
Davis is a 6-foot-4 guard from Plymouth, Minn. The close proximity to home also influenced his decision to choose the Hawkeyes.
“I am really close to all my family,” added Davis. “That’s another reason why I chose Iowa. My family supports me a lot and they want me to be successful.”
After graduating from Robbinsdale Cooper High School, Davis spent the past two seasons playing at the junior college level. During his freshman season he played at Southeastern Community College, and last year he played at Kirkwood Community College. There he helped the Eagles to a third-place finish at the National Junior College Tournament.
“We really jelled as a team,” said Davis. “As a team, we wanted it more than others. We should have defeated the eventual national champion, but we ran out of gas.”
Playing at the junior college level the last two years has helped Davis grow as a basketball player.
“It has helped me mature and settle down as a player,” said Davis. “I don’t get too high or too low. During the two years, I had some good coaches that helped me be successful. In addition, I had to work through some adversity and injuries. It helped me become tougher.”
In addition to improving as a player, two years at the junior college level has him excited for Iowa City and Hawkeye fans.
“After two junior colleges, I’m looking forward to Iowa City,” said Davis. “The fan support here is crazy. They support you whether you win or lose. They are not `feel-good’ fans. They will always be there.”
Davis cannot wait until the season begins, so during the summer he kept busy.
“I have been bonding and spending time with the other players,” added Davis. “I am always at the gym, working on my skills and working out on my own.”
Davis will need to keep working hard to fulfill his personal goal for the upcoming 2008-09 season.
“Individually, I would like to win the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Award,” said Davis. “As a team, we need to work hard and make it to a postseason tournament.”