Arizona State University’s men’s basketball team has secured a much-needed boost to its backcourt by acquiring the services of 6-foot-4 sophomore guard Malachi Davis from Tallahassee Community College. The move came just days after three of coach Bobby Hurley’s guards entered the transfer portal, leaving a gap in the team’s roster.
Davis, originally from Toronto, Canada, is considered a versatile guard who can play multiple positions on the perimeter. He is expected to play more off the ball for the Sun Devils, with starting junior point guard Frankie Collins returning for next season. Davis has two seasons of eligibility remaining, with a redshirt year available.
Impressive Stats and a Championship Run
In the recently concluded 2022-23 season, Davis put up impressive numbers at Tallahassee CC, averaging 17.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 50.5 percent from the field, 34.9 percent from the 3-point line, and 78.3 percent from the free-throw line. He played a crucial role in Tallahassee’s impressive run to the NJCAA Division I Basketball Championship Final Four, where the team lost to John A. Logan in a national semifinals game. Davis had a standout performance in the tournament, scoring 31, 48, 33, and 31 points in the four games leading up to the loss.
A Utility Guard with Promise
Davis, who spent the 2021-21 season at Lake Land College in Illinois after not playing in 2020-21 due to the pandemic, has shown promise as a utility guard who can play three perimeter positions. Despite his listed weight of 175 pounds, he is known for his physical play and the ability to score in a variety of ways.
The acquisition of Davis is an important move for Arizona State University, which will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022-23 season that saw the team finish 13-17 overall and 7-11 in the Pac-12. With Davis joining Collins in the backcourt, the Sun Devils will be hoping to improve their fortunes in the upcoming season.
