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Rutgers basketball: Jamichael Davis, class of 2023 guard, commits

jerry carino, asbury park press
·2 min read

Rutgers basketball has gone under the radar yet again for a backcourt recruit.

Here are three things to know about Jamichael Davis, a 6-foot-2 high school senior who committed to the Scarlet Knights Monday.

1. They found him by accident

As often happens in the world of basketball recruiting, Rutgers coaches were scouting a different player when Davis came into their view. Head coach Steve Pikiell and assistant coach Brandin Knight were eying five-star, 6-foot-9, Class of 2024 forward Ace Bailey when his AAU teammate caught their eye. Why? Davis was competing on every possession, at both ends – something that doesn’t always happen in the upper reaches of the grassroots circuit.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights fans cheer during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Rutgers Scarlet Knights fans cheer during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

2. He has a Simpson-like burst

After training a closer eye on Davis (who goes by the nickname "J-Mike"), Pikiell and Knight liked his ability to get downhill and finish in the lane – a burst that has been described as in the ballpark of current Rutgers freshman guard Derek Simpson’s. Simpson is enjoying a promising debut season with the Scarlet Knights after flying under the recruiting radar at Lenape High School.

3. He was productive as a high school junior

Davis grew up in Chattanooga, Tenn. Last winter, before moving to McEachern High School in Georgia for his senior year, he averaged 22 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the field for Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High. He’d received recruiting interest from Wichita State and Auburn before committing to Rutgers.

Davis joins four-star wing Gavin Griffiths in Rutgers’ 2023 recruiting class. The Scarlet Knights are out of scholarships for next season, but of course that could change. Here’s their tentative depth chart for 2023-24:

Guards (5): Paul Mulcahy, Cam Spencer, Derek Simpson, Jalen Miller, Jamichael Davis.

Wings (4): Mawot Mag, Aundre Hyatt, Gavin Griffiths, Oskar Palmquist.

Bigs (4): Cliff Omoruyi, Antwone Woolfolk, Dean Reiber, Antonio Chol.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers basketball: Jamichael Davis, class of 2023 guard, commits