Four young North Carolina basketball fans waited outside of the tunnel at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum, including one wearing a No. 4 jersey and another in a Tar Heels cheerleading outfit. They hoped to get a photo with their favorite player, RJ Davis.
The senior from New York gladly obliged, and was met with cheers. He gave them one more smile and wave before heading to the bus.
That one moment summarized Davis’ career, and what he wants to be remembered for: using basketball as a conduit to positively impact others.
His legacy won’t be the 1,838 (and counting) career points, or the way he scored the most points (36) at the Smith Center since 2008. It’s not his 20-point scoring streak this season, or even the way he helped Carolina make a Final Four run in 2022. Those are part of what Davis will eventually leave behind, but they’re not all of it.
“We have enjoyed watching you so much,” one mother told him. “Thank you.”He’ll also — and perhaps most importantly — be remembered for the way he loves his family, his friends and the community, and his character.
“That’s something I haven’t really thought about; leaving a legacy not for myself but for the next generation,” Davis said. “I’ve got to continue staying humble and knowing what got me here: That was working hard and staying down through it all…I’m going to enjoy this moment and stay present but at the same time be the true leader I know I can be.”The senior collided with Blue Devils sophomore forward Kyle Filipowski several times, but spoke positively about his opponent in post-game interviews, saying Filipowski apologized and said he thought the plays were unintentional.
He could have criticized his opponent. No one would’ve blinked an eye, especially in a highly-emotional rivalry game.
That’s the kind of character his parents, Robert and Venessa Davis, raised him to have — one of respect, positivity and kindness.
“I’ve always said if he were not my kid, I would think, ‘Wow, this is such a great kid; such a nice young man,’” Venessa said. “He’s very pleasant and very easy.”
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