BYU landed a top wing in the transfer portal as Southern Illinois’ Kennard Davis announced his commitment to BYU. Davis is rated a 4-star transfer by 247 Sports and a top 60 player in the portal and had offers from several high majors and took visits to Ohio State and LSU.
Davis made one of the biggest sophomore jumps in the country, earning All-MVC Second Team honors after averaging 16.3 points, 5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 steals. He shot 45.5% from the field, 37.6% from three, and 76% from the line. Davis shot 64-170 from three and averaged over 5 three-point attempts per game and over 4 free throw attempts. Davis was second for the Salukis in scoring and led the team in assists.
Davis is listed at 6-foot-6 and is a versatile scorer and secondary playmaker on the wing, playing point guard, the four spot, and all positions in between for SIU. Davis shot over 60% from around the basket and uses his size to finish through contact and shoot over smaller defenders. His 14.5% assist rate would have ranked top 5 on last year’s team, highlighting his playmaking ability to pass in addition to his scoring prowess. The Big 12 will no doubt be a be jump for Davis, but he has the size to adjust well and to guard Big 12 wings. Davis also would likely have the opposing team’s third best wing defender on him when he is on the court with AJ and Richie, meaning he should have a lot of one-on-one opportunities and open looks from three. Regarding his defense, one scout told me that Davis has the ability to defend the opponent’s best guard pretty much the whole game.”
Davis played one Big 12 foe last season, logging 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on 50% shooting in a road loss at Oklahoma State. He had 10 games with 20+ points and a season-high 26 points versus Murray State.
Davis has a strong path to start next season. Kevin Young has said the two through four spots are interchangeable for him, and Davis should pair with Richie Saunders and AJ Dybantsa to form a long wing trio that can score and defend. With Rob Wright and Keba Keita as the other two starters, BYU could arguably have the best starting five in college basketball next season.
Davis will be a junior this upcoming. You can watch highlights of him below.
