Pros and cons of Boston Celtics taking JD Davison of Alabama basketball in 2022 NBA draft
Alabama basketball's JD Davison was selected by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft.
Davison was the No. 53 pick.
This marks the third consecutive year Alabama has had at least one player drafted. Joshua Primo (2021), Herb Jones (2021) and Kira Lewis Jr. (2020) were previous Crimson Tide players who have heard their names called.
Davison made six starts while playing in 33 games in his lone season with the Crimson Tide. He's a 6-foot-2, 192-pound guard from Letohatchee, Alabama.
Here's what Davison will bring to his new team.
The pros
Davison is built for highlight reels.
He has no shortage of athleticism, and he usually displayed it at least once a night.
Many times, that came in the form of a dunk. See the one against Baylor. Or the one from the first Auburn game. Or just about any other dunk. Anytime he flashed his athleticism, it was easy to understand why hearing his name called in the NBA draft was a possibility for him in the near future.
Davison also has a knack for making impressive passes. He led Alabama with 143 assists as a player who primarily came off the bench.
He has athleticism that can't be taught.
Oh, and he's got great hair.
JD DAVISON HAIR: Alabama basketball guard JD Davison's hair: He's been working on it since second grade
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The cons
Davison has work to do to become a finished product.
His attractiveness as a prospect stems from his upside, not the player he is today. Davison was turnover prone in Tuscaloosa, finishing second among Alabama players with 95.
In the last game of the season, a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Notre Dame, Davison was thrust into a major role. Point guard Jahvon Quinerly tore his ACL, and Davison played 36 minutes with Quinerly out. He finished with 11 points as he went 5-for-9 from the field and nine assists, but also had six turnovers.
Davison also has work to do on defense to be successful at the next level.
Final thoughts
Alabama coach Nate Oats put Davison's outlook best when he joined the Field of 68 podcasting network at the Final Four.
"He's got such ridiculous upside," Oats said. "His best basketball is years down the road."
It remains to be seen how many years down the road that might be.
Nick Kelly covers Alabama football and men's basketball for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at nkelly@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter: @_NickKelly
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Boston Celtics pick Alabama basketball's JD Davison in 2022 NBA Draft
