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The Naismith Award names Johnell Davis to Play of the Year watch list

By Austin Farmer

Oct 15, 2024; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Johnell Davis talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Oct 15, 2024; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Johnell Davis talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images / Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
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Razorbacks basketball is on top of everyone's mind in the Natural State after Friday's performance against No. 1 Kansas. The exhibition game shed light on new players like freshman Boogie Fland and Kentucky transfer DJ Wagner. But the one person we all expected to see more of and didn't was Johnell Davis.

The FAU transfer was one of the best players in the portal after averaging 18.2 points a game in 2023-24, along with 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals. Davis has been dealing with a wrist injury and probably wasn't 100 percent healthy against Kansas. It was also his first time playing in Bud Walton Arena, so nerves could've played a part, too. There's no doubt he'll get better quickly. At least, that's what the Naismith Awards believe.

On Wednesday, the prestigious award released its preseason watch list for the 2024-25 Jersey Mike's Naismith Player of the Year. Davis is the lone Razorback featured. He joins other elite college basketball players like RJ Davis from North Carolina, Hunter Dickinson from Kansas, and Duke's Cooper Flag.

The SEC is tied for the second-most players (10) represented with the Big Ten. However, the Big 12 takes the crown with 12. The other conferences are the Big East (7), WCC (2), Mountain West (1), Atlantic 10 (1), WAC (1), and AAC (1). The midseason teams will be announced on February 2, 2025, and the winner will be announced on April 6, 2025.

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