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Post by PantherU on Mar 19, 2023 14:37:28 GMT -6
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Post by Pounce 9000 on Mar 19, 2023 14:49:29 GMT -6
Learic Davis was a highly-touted high school basketball player from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who recently committed to play for the Milwaukee Panthers after redshirting his freshman year at Tennessee State. His commitment is a significant step forward for the program and could potentially help take the team to the next level in the 2023-24 season.
At 6'7", Davis is known for his athleticism, versatility, and ability to score both inside and outside. He was considered to be one of the top high school players in the state of Wisconsin and received interest from several other Division I programs before choosing Tennessee State.
Davis' commitment could help bolster the Milwaukee Panthers' roster and provide a much-needed boost to the team's offense. His skills and athleticism could make him a standout player in the Horizon League and a force to be reckoned with on the court.
Of course, it remains to be seen how Davis will perform at the collegiate level and how his skills will translate to the team's style of play (perfectly, I say). But his commitment is certainly a positive development for the Milwaukee Panthers basketball program and could help take the team to new heights in the upcoming season.
As a local talent, Davis' commitment to the Milwaukee Panthers basketball program is even more significant as it demonstrates the team's ability to recruit and retain top players from the surrounding area.
Davis is known for his scoring ability, athleticism, and versatility on the court, and his presence on the Milwaukee Panthers' roster could help elevate the team's offense in the 2023-24 season. With his skills and potential, he could become a valuable asset to the team and a key contributor to the team's success in the upcoming season.
Overall, Davis' commitment is a positive development for the Milwaukee Panthers basketball program and demonstrates the team's continued efforts to recruit top talent and compete at a high level in the Horizon League.
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fan
Sophomore
Don't shoot so much Tone.
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Post by fan on Mar 19, 2023 14:53:53 GMT -6
He redshirted this year and then transferred?
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Post by ghostofdylan on Mar 19, 2023 15:12:56 GMT -6
He redshirted this year and then transferred? I had the same question. |
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Post by thetruth on Mar 19, 2023 15:39:38 GMT -6
He was a three-star player coming out of high school. Typically, those guys don't redshirt at an average mid-major program. I was wondering the same thing.
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Post by skrapheap on Mar 19, 2023 15:42:14 GMT -6
He redshirted this year and then transferred? I had the same question. Probably wanted to study at a Carnegie R1 research institution; Tennessee State is only R2. 😀 |
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Post by chipanthers45 on Mar 19, 2023 15:52:11 GMT -6
Love that we'll once again have a local kid on the team. Still a lot TBD about his game, but with his athleticism I could see him thriving under Lundy's style of play. Now we just need a replacement for Rand and true PG.
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Post by ghostofdylan on Mar 19, 2023 16:15:33 GMT -6
I would add a more offensively talented version of Ahmad & a good floor general.
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Post by Duct_Tape_Pounce on Mar 19, 2023 16:17:49 GMT -6
As of right now, I think we have 0 scholarships available. Obviously, we will see if things change after the CBI with the transfer portal.
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Post by buppie05 on Mar 19, 2023 16:37:35 GMT -6
This is terrific! Not only a local kid, but someone who fans have had on their wishlist.
Welcome to the team !
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Post by thetruth on Mar 19, 2023 16:41:53 GMT -6
Happy to get a local kid with some potential on this team. Not sure why he redshirted last year, seems a little weird since he was a three-star kid at a mediocre mid-major program. But that is what it is at this point. Either way, to me, this signals a few more roster spots are going to open up. We still need a big guy or two and a true point guard.
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Post by ghostofpbj on Mar 20, 2023 7:49:26 GMT -6
I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. He is a better Tae Williams. That should make everyone ecstatic to have him
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Post by 73withharoldlee on Mar 20, 2023 8:46:06 GMT -6
I don’t know if it has been mentioned but Asst. Coach Ben Walker recruited Davis to Tennessee State. Davis has loads of talent and needs work in the weight room. Their relationship is just another reason to applaud Coach Lundy for making good decisions. Welcome to The Panther Family!
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Post by DunneDeal on Mar 20, 2023 13:39:29 GMT -6
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Post by Cactus Panther on Mar 20, 2023 19:13:25 GMT -6
'Why not be a hometown hero?': Former Bradley Tech star Learic Davis is transferring to UW-Milwaukee
Todd Rosiak
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Learic Davis is coming home.
The former Bradley Tech star confirmed on Monday his intention to transfer from Tennessee State to UW-Milwaukee, a move that will add another explosive high flier to the mix for the suddenly resurgent Panthers.
"I was thinking about it over winter break and I was like, ‘That wouldn’t be a bad idea. I’d probably bring the crowd out and some joy to Milwaukee and I think I might do it,'" Davis said. "A couple weeks ago I was like, ‘You know what? I’m going to go back home and surprise everybody.’
"I was going with my gut. My gut was telling me, ‘Why not be a hometown hero?’"
The 6-foot-7 wing player led Tech in scoring (22.1 points per game), rebounds (8.8), assists (6.2), steals (4.1) and blocks (1.2) in 2021-22 to help the Trojans win the City Conference title for the first time since 2005.
He was recruited to Tennessee State by Oak Creek native Ben Walker, who then joined coach Bart Lundy's staff at UWM heading into this season.
UWM is prohibited by the NCAA from announcing Davis's transfer until he officially signs with the school.
Davis will arrive at UWM with four years of eligibility having redshirted this past season.
"With the redshirt situation, there was a lot of stuff that was going on behind the scenes and my high-school grades," Davis explained. "I don’t really know how it all worked but they said I was ineligible from high school. They still gave me my four years and I was able to practice and participate with the team.
"I was looking forward to playing this year, but God had other plans."
Davis, who is currently wrapping up the spring semester at Tennessee State, said his experience there has been a valuable one even though he was never able to suit up and play in a game.
"I feel like that made me stronger," he said. "I was getting used to being away from home and being a college basketball player and going to class and doing workouts on my own time. Playing with the guys who are here, you’ve got to guard them for real at practice.
"It made me better as a person and as a player coming to TSU."
Davis is listed as weighing 185 pounds on Tennessee State's roster but he said he got as high as 198 thanks to an improved diet and being on a collegiate strength and conditioning regimen.
And the good news is Davis says he's now an even better leaper than when he first arrived -- an eye-opening statement considering he was regarded as one of the best high-school dunkers in the nation as a senior.
Davis, who even made ESPN's Top 10 plays segment on SportsCenter while at Tech, estimates his vertical leap is somewhere between 40 and 42 inches currently.
"I have gotten bigger," he said. "I just came back from Milwaukee two weeks ago and everybody was telling me I got bigger and I looked stronger. It probably made me bouncier. In high school I was mostly a one-foot jumper and did all my dunks off one foot.
"Now, I’m more versatile and I feel like I do more stuff off two feet than one foot."
Returning to Milwaukee is something that Davis said he gave considerable thought to prior to deciding it was the right move to make.
"Everybody asked me how would I play if I came back home, and that made me wait to make my decision," he said. "I was asking myself, was I ready to go back home? I feel like since I’ve been down here I’ve matured a lot and become a better player and a better person, a better individual. I wouldn’t say I was a bad person, but I feel like I became a better individual.
"When I come back it’s going to be a lot of love. It’s going to come with a lot of hate too, but at the same time I feel like I’ll help bring the city out and we’re looking forward to a winning season coming up.
"I’m for sure ready to get started."
The last player from the City Conference to play for UWM was Washington product Te'Jon Lucas, who transferred in from Illinois and left after the pandemic season of 2020-21.
The last player from Tech to play for UWM was Anthony Hill, from 2008-11.
"I feel like I can open the door for a lot of City kids," Davis said. "I feel like they looked up to me when I was in high school and supported everything I did and they look at it like, ‘If Learic can do it, I can do it too.’"
With rising star BJ Freeman, Markeith Browning II and a cast of other talented players expected to return, Davis believes his addition will only add to what could be a special team.
The Panthers are currently 22-10 and coming off a big overtime victory over Stetson in the College Basketball Invitational.
"Next year we could be real loaded and make a run for the conference championship and March Madness," Davis said. "I like what Coach Lundy’s got going on over there, and I’m just ready to get started with them."
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