Missouri transfer Amari Davis poised for success at Wright State
FAIRBORN, Ohio (BVM) – Amari Davis will look to translate what he learned in the SEC as he returns to the Horizon League to play for the Wright State Raiders. Davis previously played for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and the University of Missouri before ultimately transferring to Wright State for his senior season.
During his time in Green Bay, Davis averaged 15.9 points per game which led to breaking the Phoenix all-time freshman scoring record, finishing with 524 points. Davis was also the first player in Green Bay history to be named Horizon League Freshman of the Year.
Davis continued to be impressive throughout his sophomore season, recording 17.1 points per game which ranked fourth in the Horizon League. In 25 games, Davis reached the 20-point mark on eight occasions including a career-high 35 points against his new team, Wright State. Davis finished his career at Green Bay shooting 47% from the field along with putting up 32 steals in his sophomore campaign.
Davis’s ability to score is what got former Missouri head coach Cuonzo Martin’s attention when he entered the transfer portal a year ago.
“Amari’s a scorer,” Martin said during a postgame press conference following Mizzou’s season opening victory against Central Michigan in November. “Amari can shoot the three but he prefers to drive the ball and make plays.”
Martin knew what he was getting out of Davis.
The guard averaged 9.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game along with a 42.5% shooting percentage in his lone season with the Tigers. Davis also led Missouri with a free-throw percentage of 81.7%.
Davis scored in double-digits 14 times this past season including a 23–point performance where he was perfect from the floor, shooting 10-of-10, in Missouri’s victory over Ole Miss in January. Davis also recorded 11 points, five rebounds and three steals in the Tigers’ road win against Texas A&M in February.
After going 12-21 this past season, Missouri decided to make a change and part ways with Martin. Former Cleveland State head coach Dennis Gates was hired to replace Martin, leading to a roster rebuild which ultimately led David to enter the transfer portal again.
After going through the transfer–portal process, the Trotwood, Ohio native announced that he was returning to his home state to play for Wright State who clinched an NCAA Tournament berth after winning the Horizon League Tournament this past season.
“Amari is a great fit for the Wright State University basketball program,” Wright State head coach Scott Nagy said. “We already know how talented he is as a basketball player, but he is also a quiet, humble young man, and he is a serious student. He is a tremendous addition to our family, and we’re thrilled he’s coming home.”
Davis has succeeded everywhere that he’s played. He was one of the top scorers in the Horizon League when he played for Green Bay and he was a valuable asset for Missouri in a tough SEC. Davis will look to take on more of a leadership role as he uses his scoring ability and SEC experience to try to guide the Raiders back to the NCAA Tournament in his senior season.
