Maine and JD Davison, playing in a game for the Maine Celtics against Birmingham, Alabama’s G League affiliate Squadron, sets a pick at the top of the key.
Davison screens for the ball-handler, then opens his stance, faking as if he’s looking for a pass while taking a step back.
The tiny shift creates just enough of an opening for Davison to race down the left side of the lane, using an elbow screen from a big and taking off from the block for a forceful two-handed alley-oop.
It’s the kind of electrifying athletic play the lone rookie in the Celtics’ 2022 draft class can routinely make. As a 6-foot-1-inch, 195-pound point guard, Davison is capable of rising up and catching lobs off of designed alley-oop plays.
An explosive first step, open-court speed, scoring ability, and an extensive list of highlight-reel dunks earned Davison a five-star recruiting ranking in high school when he was considered as one of the top-15 prospects in his class.
“The first thing is, he’s fast,” says Maine Celtics guard Kamar Baldwin. “First step, everything. Sees the floor really well. He doesn’t get sped up, he’s always attacking and getting everyone the ball.”
Since being selected with the No. 53 pick in last year’s NBA Draft, Davison has split time between Boston and G League affiliate Maine as he continues to shape his natural ability into a skill-set that can thrive at the professional level.
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