Rapheal Davis hasn’t even had his first official high school practice yet, but that hasn’t stopped the hype that is quickly hovering around the Fort Wayne South Side freshman. The 6-foot 4-inch 2012 prospect has already jumped up the recruiting boards for some of the most prestigious basketball programs in the nation. IUplanet caught up with Rapheal to discuss his game, Tom Crean and his Indiana recruitment.
Davis was one of 60 or so kids who was invited to and participated in the Indiana Elite camp last month. Although he may have been one of the youngest kids there, Davis acknowledged that the camp was an eye-opening experience and he received a lot of fundamental skills to take back to Fort Wayne. “It was really cool- Coach Crean and the other staff worked with us on drills, instructions and different plays,” said Davis. “We then got to use that in small scrimmages.”
He even got one-on-one instruction from Indiana legend Isaiah Thomas. “He showed me how to come off the pick and take the shot,” he added. “He also showed me how to use the screen and roll.”
Getting personal instruction from a hall-of-famer? Not bad for a kid who is just 15 years old.
At 6-foot 4-inches and already possessing a lean, strong body, it seems that Davis will have quite a few choices in the college search. He’s already garnering interest from UCLA, Arizona, and Indiana, not to mention school visits from Ohio St. and Purdue.
After seeing him play, it is obvious that Davis is way ahead of his peers. His basketball IQ is off the charts. He has a real natural ability to create his shot and uses his body to get to the hole. He already possesses a solid jump shot, a knack for rebounding, and is a tenacious defender in the backcourt with his lengthy arms.
Davis is still constantly working on these skills, coming in at 5:30 in the morning for training. “I work on everything really - going hard every play, dribbling, shooting, rebounding - just every aspect of the game.”
Granted, Rapheal hasn’t yet heard from Coach Crean himself, but he is definitely feeling the love and it seems to be mutual. “I have talked to the Coach Buckley and Coach Crean seems really cool. He lets you play your own game. He doesn’t restrict you. He coaches you as the player, you are not the player he wants you to be.” With a brother and a sister currently enrolled at Indiana University and numerous unofficial trips to the campus already, is there serious commitment between the lines? “I’m just taking it all in, enjoying the ride,” Davis said.
Well maybe he didn’t admit it, but I like to stay optimistic. A naturally gifted athlete with a rare arsenal of speed, size and strength, Rapheal looks to be the next in line to be labeled a “can’t miss prospect.”
Keep an eye on this guard coming out of Fort Wayne. Over the couple years Rapheal will be making an impression on this Hoosier staff. Maybe - just maybe - he will be the next in line of Hoosier greats who took the time to show him how to use the pick and roll.
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