On Thursday night, a life-long dream of playing professional basketball finally became a reality when the Washington Wizards selected Badgers sophomore guard Johnny Davis with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft.
Davis, who was the Big Ten Player of the Year, Lute Olson National Player of the Year, and a consensus first-team All-American averaged 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals en route to a share of the Big Ten regular-season title.
It was a meteoric rise into the national spotlight for the Badgers’ star guard – highlighted by a 30-point game against Houston in the Maui Invitational and a 37-point, 14 rebound performance on the road against Purdue at Mackey Arena.
The La Crosse (Wisc.) native is the first player from the University of Wisconsin selected in the NBA Draft since 2015, ending a seven-year drought by the program. Additionally, he was just the fourth Badgers player to average at least 19 points per game over the last 30 seasons.
Standing at 6-foot-5, 196-pounds, Davis has the ability to score from all three levels, is a versatile defender, and has the work ethic and determination necessary to reach his ceiling.
Johnny Davis is now officially the first NBA draft pick of the Greg Gard era.
Heeeeeeeeeere’s Johnny! 🙌💯
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) June 24, 2022
With the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the @WashWizards select our guy @JohnnyDavis!#OnWisconsin x #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/TH4G5kSRZC
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