MASON CITY – NIACC’s Chris Davis has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Washburn University, a NCAA Division II school located in Topeka, Kan.
Washburn was 19-8 overall in the 2012-13 season and 12-8 (tied for third) in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
The Ichabods dropped exhibition decisions to three NCAA tournament teams last season. They lost to Kansas State 81-61, Oklahoma 83-66 and Kansas 62-50.
“It feels good,” said Davis, who is NIACC’s 10th all-time leading scorer with 999 career points. “It’s a stress reliever.
“The recruiting process was very tough but I chose the right school for their education and basketball program.”
Davis, a 6-foot-0 guard from Colorado Springs, Col., said Washburn University was the only school he visited during the recruiting process.
“I like the environment,” he said. “When I went there and hung out with the team, they made me feel welcome. When you know, you know.”
Davis, a first-team all-ICCAC selection as a sophomore, averaged 18.4 points per game, which was third in the league. He led the league with 85 3-point goals and also led the league with 107 steals.
Davis scored a season-high 33 points against Quakerdale Promise Academy on Nov. 16, 2012.
NIACC coach Mark Mohl said Washburn is getting an outstanding basketball player and an outstanding person.
“He’s everything you’re looking for in a kid,” Mohl said. “He’s a good student, great person and obviously a very good basketball player.
“It’s a deserving honor for a great kid.”
Davis averaged 13.8 points per game as a freshman for NIACC in the 2011-12 season. He also led the Trojans as a freshman with 78 steals and was second on the team with 61 3-point goals.
So all of his numbers improved during his sophomore campaign.
“He’s improved in every area of the game,” Mohl said. “He’s a tremendous shooter but he’s a lot more than that. The best thing about Chris is that he’s a good teammate.”
Mohl said Washburn should be a good fit for Davis, who ranks fourth on NIACC’s all-time 3-point list with 146.
“They showed a lot of interest in him,” Mohl said. “They need someone to come in and score a lot of points. Chris’ best basketball is a head of him. Another thing that’s going to help him is that he’s going into a physical league. With the way Chris’ body is, he’s not going to have any problems adjusting to that.”
Davis said his two years at NIACC helped prepare him for the next level.
“It was a great two years,” Davis said. “I really enjoyed playing basketball for coach Mohl and with my NIACC teammates. I learned a lot. We played in a tough league. I grew as a player both offensively and defensively. It was a great two years here.”
NIACC CAREER POINT LEADERS
Terry McKissick (1971-73) 1,468
Dennis Shaffer (1971-73) 1,463
Ryan Pippett (1994-96) 1,150
Ron Angell (1976-78) 1,101
Rueben Cole (1977-79) 1,062
Doug Lampe (1983-85) 1,051
Clyde McCulley (1998-2000) 1,033
Paul Bruns (1993-95) 1,020
Brad Brumm (1987-89) 1,009
Chris Davis (2011-13) 999
NIACC CAREER 3-POINT LEADERS
Jeremiah White (1998-2000) 153
Cory DeShaw (2002-04) 152
Paul Bruns (1993-95) 152
Chris Davis (2011-13) 146
Mike Eckenrod (1986-88) 119
Ben McCollum (1999-2001) 115
Jason Steenblock (2001-03) 113
Chris Throne (2010-12) 103
Davis’ 2012-13 season highs
Points – 33 vs. Quakerdale Promise Academy (11-16-12). Rebounds – 12 vs. Iowa Central (2-9-13). Assists – 6, twice. Steals – 7 vs. Dakota Wesleyan junior varsity (11-1-12). 3-point goals – 6, three times.
Davis’ career highs
Points – 33 vs. Quakerdale Promise Academy (11-16-12). Rebounds – 12 vs. Iowa Central (2-9-13). Assists – 6, twice. Steals – 7 vs. Dakota Wesleyan junior varsity (11-1-12). 3-point goals – 6, three times.
