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Toronto Raptors guard Terence Davis emerged this season as a key contributor for the defending NBA champions and the rookie has spent much of the year learning from his veteran teammates.
With a roster featuring the likes of Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Kyle Lowry and others, there has been seemingly plenty of wisdom to go around for a young player like Davis. The process has allowed Davis to not only grow on the court but off of it, as well.
Davis told reporters on Sunday following practice at the Walt Disney World Resort that he has learned how to become a professional from the veterans on the roster and is constantly soaking up their knowledge.
It goes a lot of ways with taking care of your body because that’s what’s going to take care of you; that’s your moneymaker right there. Eating right, putting the right things in your body, being on time and doing things the right way. … I’m a sponge right now being a rookie. That’s the nature of this game, you gotta climb the ladder. Just being a professional is one way to keep you in this league.
Davis added that he has become a better player in pick-and-roll situations thanks to working with Gasol and Ibaka. The spacing that they can create allows Davis the ability to make a play and he has often taken advantage of those scenarios.
The rise of Davis in just his first year in the NBA has been remarkable. Raptors head coach Nick Nurse has often used small rotations this season, sometimes only eight or nine players deep, and Davis was among those players used off of the bench.
The Raptors will kick off the season restart on Aug. 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers. They are among the favorites in the Eastern Conference and could find themselves competing for yet another championship this season.
It will be an experience Davis will likely be ready for.
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