[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2024 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Johnell Davis
Frame: 6’4” 185 lbs
Position: Guard
Team: Florida Atlantic University Owls
2024 Draft Age: 23
Stats via www.sports-reference.com

Offense

Davis is a crafty shot creator who can score at all three levels. He packs a scoring punch in a powerful, compact frame and can get his shot off from anywhere on the court. Davis has improved his three-point percentage as well as his free throw percentage this year as well. He has been able to do most of his damage on off-ball movement and backing down smaller guards this year. He gets 20 percent of his looks from spot-up action, which he converts at around a 45 percent clip, and another 20 percent comes from pick-and-roll action with him as the ball handler, averaging almost a point per possession.

A true microwave scorer for his team, Davis has increased his average from 16 points per game in the non-conference slate to 20 during conference games. As a new member, the team has gone 11-4 in the American Athletic Conference this season. His high motor allows him to compete on both ends of the floor and always find the extra gear on offense when his team needs a timely bucket or a momentum swing. His slender frame allows him to get into the lane and to the basket if he has his defender beat, but he sometimes gets stuck amongst the bigs and forces a shot or gets blocked. He converts around 51 percent of his shots within five feet of the basket.

Davis is shooting 44 percent from deep this season, a nine percent improvement over last year’s historic Owls run to the Final Four. The problem arises on the road, where he is shooting almost 16 percent lower on opposing floors than at home. In the Owls’ four conference losses this season, Davis shot 32 percent from deep.

His assist numbers have increased this season as well. Davis has improved his recognition of defenses collapsing on him more frequently and seeing double teams come his way. He has been quicker to react by getting the ball to open teammates so they can convert or continue the play.

Defense

Davis has always had a knack for disrupting passing lanes and getting steals. His intuition has improved with more freedom given to him by the coaching staff and having Vlad Goldin as an anchor in the paint if anyone gets by him. He can play from behind and has still found instances where he can dislodge the ball and force turnovers.

His on-ball defense is above average, and it also helps to have a team behind him to make up for any lapses that may get past him. He can play more freely, knowing his teammates have his back and will rotate in any breakdowns. Davis’s footwork and positioning allow him to create transition opportunities once he secures the ball and heads off to the races. Davis is also highly effective in creating offense out of his defense, converting those possessions 56 percent of the time into baskets.

Davis can rebound at a high level for his size and has helped his team in numerous ways during the season, for example, finishing close games by securing the ball in late-game situations. He pairs a high basketball IQ with the knack to carve out just enough space to secure rebounds, which should translate well to the next level. Rebounding is all about effort, and Davis does whatever he can to impact the outcome of a game and come out with the win.

Looking Ahead

Davis has brought attention to his game by declaring for the draft last year and going through the pre-draft process. Taking what he heard from NBA talent evaluators and decision-makers into this season, Davis had a lot to prove. While he does not have the elite skill to push his name up draft boards, Davis can very likely be a jack-of-all-trades type of player. This season alone has shown he can improve his handling while being an effective pick-and-roll handler and decision-maker. His off-ball movement and motor allow him to sprint in front of defenses or lead transition offense. The comfort level with his spot-up game can also translate well to the next level as Davis continues to refine his talents. Finding those open spaces on the floor and using his IQ to his advantage will help prove his worth to a franchise.

Davis will most likely be a late second-round pick or potentially an undrafted free agent who gets snapped up by a team and allowed to flourish in the G League while getting a few call-ups during his career. That microwave scoring ability certainly helps in the right situations if he can continue to show his prowess in finding open space on the floor to get his shots off. This draft, though, could see Davis get more looks as there will be many upperclassmen with the potential to fill out benches across the league. Davis may be able to secure a seat with another stellar performance in March and leaning into his versatility on the court.