JD Davison
JD Davison (born October 3, 2002) is an American professional basketball player who plays as a guard for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) on a two-way contract with their NBA G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.[1][2] Standing at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) and weighing 195 pounds (88 kg), he is known for his explosive athleticism, speed, and playmaking ability as a point guard.[3] Davison hails from Letohatchee, Alabama, where he developed his skills in local basketball circuits before committing to the University of Alabama.[4] As a highly touted recruit, he played one season for the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, appearing in all 33 games with six starts and averaging 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.[5][6] His performance earned him a spot on the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman Team, marking the sixth consecutive Alabama player to receive the honor.[5] In the 2022 NBA draft, Davison was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 53rd overall pick in the second round.[7] He signed a two-way contract with Boston shortly after, splitting time between the NBA team and their G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, over the next three seasons.[8] During the 2024–25 G League season, Davison emerged as a standout for the Maine Celtics, averaging 25.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, which earned him the Kia NBA G League Most Valuable Player award.[9] Following the season, the Celtics waived him on July 25, 2025, after which he signed a new two-way contract with the Houston Rockets on July 26, 2025.[10][11] In his limited NBA appearances to date, primarily with Boston, he has averaged 2.0 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists across 41 games.[3]Pre-professional career
High school career
JD Davison attended Calhoun High School in Letohatchee, Alabama, for all four years of his high school basketball career, where he played as a point guard for the Tigers.[12] As a freshman in the 2017–18 season, he appeared in 25 games, averaging 13.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game, helping establish himself as a promising defensive presence with strong rebounding instincts for his position.[13] During his sophomore year in 2018–19, Davison's scoring and playmaking improved, as he played in 35 games and averaged 18.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.9 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game, showcasing emerging athleticism in transition and defensive versatility.[13] His junior season in 2019–20 marked a breakout, leading the Tigers to a 21–12 record and the Class 2A state championship; he averaged 33.4 points, 12.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 6.0 steals, and 4.0 blocks per game, including a career-high 54 points in a win over Autaugaville and a game-winning buzzer-beater three-pointer in the state final against Barbour County, where he scored 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.[14][15][16] As a senior in 2020–21, Davison captained the team to a 16–8 record and the Class 2A semifinals, averaging 32.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 3.6 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game; he notched 45 points and 13 rebounds in his final high school game, a semifinal loss to Midfield.[17][18][19] Over his career, spanning 112 games, he averaged 24.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game, evolving into a dynamic floor general known for explosive drives, elite playmaking vision, and rim-protecting athleticism.[13] Davison, a five-star recruit ranked No. 9 nationally in the class of 2021, committed to the University of Alabama.[12]College career
Davison, a five-star high school recruit ranked among the top prospects nationally, enrolled at the University of Alabama for the 2021–22 season to play for the Crimson Tide under head coach Nate Oats.[12] As a freshman point guard, Davison primarily served as a backup with occasional starts, appearing in all 33 games while averaging 25.8 minutes per contest. He contributed 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and a team-high 4.3 assists per game, ranking sixth in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in assists despite a high turnover rate of 2.9 per game. His playmaking helped Alabama achieve a 9–9 record in SEC play and secure a fifth-place conference standing, earning him a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team as the sixth consecutive Alabama freshman to receive the honor.[20][5] Davison made an immediate impact in his collegiate debut on November 9, 2021, against Louisiana Tech, scoring 12 points with six rebounds and six assists in a 93–64 victory.[21] He had standout performances later in the season, including 10 points and a career-high nine rebounds in a thrilling 83–82 upset win over then-No. 14 Houston on December 11, where his late-game dunk preserved the lead amid controversy over a final play. Davison earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors after recording 18 points and eight assists in a 97–83 win over Ole Miss on February 9, 2022. In the NCAA Tournament, where Alabama entered as a No. 6 seed, he tallied 11 points and nine assists in a 78–64 first-round loss to No. 11 Notre Dame on March 18.[21][22][23][24] Following the season, Davison declared for the 2022 NBA draft on April 13, 2022, announcing he was "done with college" after just one year and forgoing additional eligibility. He participated in pre-draft workouts for multiple teams, where scouts praised his elite athleticism and passing vision but noted areas for improvement in shooting efficiency and decision-making.[25][26]Professional career
Boston Celtics (2022–2025)
Davison was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft. On July 8, 2022, he signed a two-way contract with the Celtics, allowing him to split time between the NBA team and its G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics. Davison made his NBA debut on November 11, 2022, during a 131–112 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Over his first two seasons (2022–23 and 2023–24), he appeared in a limited number of games for the Celtics, totaling 10 regular-season appearances with limited minutes primarily in garbage time.[3] His first NBA points came on November 25, 2022, in a 122–104 win against the Washington Wizards, scoring a layup off a steal with 67 seconds remaining.[27] The majority of Davison's development occurred in the G League with the Maine Celtics, where he showed steady progression across three seasons. In 2022–23, he adapted to professional play, contributing in his first pro playoff appearance during Maine's postseason run.[28] During the 2023–24 season, Davison emerged as a key leader, helping Maine reach the G League Finals, where they lost to the Oklahoma City Blue 2-1, while providing playmaking and scoring in the playoffs.[29][30] In 2024–25, he anchored the team to a 21–13 regular-season record, leading the Eastern Conference playoffs with multiple double-doubles, including 34 points and 13 assists in the conference finals, before Maine's elimination.[9] Over his Maine tenure, Davison set franchise records as the all-time leader in scoring and assists.[31][32] As a member of the 2023–24 Celtics roster, Davison earned a championship ring after Boston defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games to win the 2024 NBA Finals.[33] In April 2025, amid the playoffs, the Celtics converted his two-way deal to a standard two-year NBA contract, adding him to the active playoff roster where he scored his first NBA playoff points on May 14, 2025, in Game 5 against the New York Knicks.[34] His time with the organization ended on July 24, 2025, when the Celtics waived him to create salary cap space under the NBA's second apron.[35] This culminated in his 2024–25 G League MVP award for his dominant performance with Maine.[9]Houston Rockets (2025–present)
On July 27, 2025, following his waiver by the Boston Celtics two days earlier, JD Davison signed a one-year two-way contract with the Houston Rockets, allowing him to split time between the NBA team and its G League affiliate.[36][37] This opportunity came after Davison's standout performance as the 2025 NBA G League MVP with the Maine Celtics, where he averaged 25.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game.[38][9] During the 2025 preseason, Davison impressed in his Rockets debut on October 6 against the Atlanta Hawks, scoring 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting—including 5-of-7 from three-point range—while adding 4 assists and displaying athletic dunks that energized the bench.[39][40] In a subsequent preseason matchup against the Hawks on October 16, he contributed 14 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals, highlighted by a jaw-dropping dunk that showcased his explosive athleticism and playmaking vision.[41][42] Overall, Davison averaged 10.5 points per game on 47% three-point shooting across the preseason, earning praise for his aggressive style and decision-making.[43] In the early 2025–26 NBA regular season, as of November 20, 2025, Davison has appeared in five games off the bench for the Rockets, averaging 2.2 points and 0.4 assists on 50% field goal shooting.[44] Notable contributions include a 5-point, 1-assist, 1-block performance in 8 minutes during the Rockets' 128–101 victory over the Boston Celtics on November 1, helping provide defensive energy in a blowout win.[1] As part of his two-way deal, Davison is integrated into the Rockets' development system through assignment to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, joining their 2025–26 training camp roster on October 27 and the finalized 14-player roster announced on November 8.[45][46] In his first G League game with the Vipers on November 15, 2025, Davison recorded 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 13 assists in a win over the Texas Legends.[47] Head coach Ime Udoka, who previously coached Davison in Boston, has highlighted his fit, describing him as "very aggressive" with strong ball-handling and pick-and-roll decision-making that aligns with Houston's young, dynamic backcourt.[48]Awards and honors
High school
During his high school career at Calhoun High School, JD Davison received numerous accolades for his basketball performance.- Alabama Mr. Basketball (2019–20 as a junior)[49]
- Alabama Mr. Basketball (2020–21 as a senior)[50]
- Gatorade Alabama Boys Basketball Player of the Year (2019–20)[14]
- Three-time Alabama All-State selection (2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21)[51]
- Two-time Montgomery Metro Player of the Year (2019–20, 2020–21)[51]
- Ranked No. 14 overall recruit and No. 2 point guard in the class of 2021 by ESPN[52]
College
- SEC All-Freshman Team (2021–22)[7]
Professional
JD Davison earned significant recognition in the NBA G League during his time with the Maine Celtics, culminating in being named the 2024–25 Kia NBA G League Most Valuable Player on April 2, 2025.[9] This award marked him as the second player in Maine Celtics franchise history to receive the league MVP honor, following Tim Frazier's 2014–15 D-League MVP accolade during the team's tenure as the Maine Red Claws.[9] Later that month, on April 17, 2025, Davison was selected to the All-NBA G League First Team, acknowledging his standout performance as a guard in the league.[53] This selection highlighted his second consecutive appearance on an All-NBA G League team, building on his prior Third Team nod in 2024. Davison also established multiple Maine Celtics franchise records, including becoming the all-time leading scorer on November 15, 2024, when he surpassed Chris Wright's previous mark of 1,591 points.[54] By the end of his tenure with the team, he held records for total points, assists, steals, games played, and field goals made.[9] As a member of the Boston Celtics' 2023–24 roster, Davison received a championship ring following the team's victory in the 2024 NBA Finals.[55]Career statistics
All statistics current as of November 20, 2025.[3][56]NBA
Davison has appeared in 41 NBA regular-season games across four seasons with the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets, averaging 5.1 minutes per game primarily due to his two-way contract status. His career per-game averages include 1.9 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.2 steals, and 0.2 blocks, with shooting percentages of 39.7% from the field, 25.0% from three-point range, and 66.7% from the free-throw line. He has recorded no double-doubles in his NBA career.[3]Regular Season Per-Game Averages
| Season | Team | GP | MP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | BOS | 12 | 5.5 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.2 | .421 | .286 | .500 |
| 2023–24 | BOS | 8 | 4.9 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | .417 | .429 | .750 |
| 2024–25 | BOS | 16 | 5.8 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 | .353 | .222 | .714 |
| 2025–26 | HOU | 5 | 4.8 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | .500 | .500 | .000 |
| Career | 41 | 5.1 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.2 | .397 | .250 | .667 |
Advanced Metrics (Per Season)
| Season | PER | TS% | USG% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 10.1 | .478 | 22.4 |
| 2023–24 | 18.8 | .581 | 32.9 |
| 2024–25 | 6.5 | .445 | 19.1 |
| 2025–26 | 14.9 | .619 | 11.2 |
| Career | 10.5 | .500 | 20.5 |
NBA G League
Davison began his NBA G League career with the Maine Celtics, the Boston Celtics' affiliate, as part of a two-way contract, where his performances highlighted his growth in high-usage roles complementary to limited NBA minutes.[57]Regular Season Per Game Averages
| Season | Team | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Maine Celtics | 26 | 31.3 | 12.5 | 4.2 | 8.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | .506 | .317 | .732 |
| 2023–24 | Maine Celtics | 28 | 34.4 | 20.8 | 5.4 | 8.6 | 1.5 | 0.8 | .451 | .266 | .682 |
| 2024–25 | Maine Celtics | 30 | 34.5 | 25.1 | 5.2 | 7.5 | 1.4 | 0.7 | .480 | .333 | .742 |
| 2025–26 | Rio Grande Valley Vipers | 1 | 39.0 | 26.0 | 7.0 | 13.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | .500 | .200 | .800 |
Playoff Per Game Averages
| Season | Team | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Maine Celtics | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023–24 | Maine Celtics | 3 | 32.0 | 12.0 | 4.3 | 6.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 | .455 | .300 | .700 |
| 2024–25 | Maine Celtics | 5 | 36.2 | 18.4 | 5.6 | 8.2 | 1.6 | 0.6 | .478 | .333 | .760 |
Career Regular Season Totals
Over 85 games in the NBA G League regular season through the early 2025–26 season, Davison has accumulated approximately 1,800 points, 500 rebounds, 700 assists, and 120 steals, establishing himself as one of the league's top playmakers with the Maine Celtics before transitioning to the Vipers.[56][57]Advanced Stats (Select Seasons)
| Season | Team | AST/TOV | PER | USG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Maine Celtics | 2.5 | 20.1 | 25.0 |
| 2023–24 | Maine Celtics | 2.0 | 22.5 | 28.5 |
| 2024–25 | Maine Celtics | 2.2 | 27.5 | 30.8 |
College
JD Davison spent his lone collegiate season with the Alabama Crimson Tide during 2021–22.[5] He appeared in all 33 games for the team, making 5 starts while averaging 25.8 minutes per game.[6] Davison's per-game averages included 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.0 steals, with shooting percentages of 46.3% from the field, 30.1% from three-point range, and 72.8% from the free-throw line.[20]| Statistic | Overall (33 GP, 5 GS) | Conference (18 GP) | Non-Conference (15 GP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes per game | 25.8 | 26.1 | 25.3 |
| Points per game | 8.5 | 8.3 | 8.9 |
| Rebounds per game | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.9 |
| Assists per game | 4.3 | 3.7 | 5.1 |
| Steals per game | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.1 |
| Field goal % | 46.3 | 43.3 | 50.0 |
| 3-point % | 30.1 | 27.5 | 34.4 |
| Free-throw % | 72.8 | 73.8 | 71.8 |