Jaxson Davis drawing early Illini attention

CHAMPAIGN — Jaxson Davis starred as a freshman at Gurnee Warren last season.

The 6-foot-1 guard did it all for the Blue Devils. Stuffed the proverbial stat sheet averaging 19.5 points, 5.3 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists for a 31-5 team that finished one win shy of making it to state in Class 4A after a two-point loss to Palatine in the super-sectionals.

Early success was expected. At least in Davis’ eyes.

“It was the standard for me to come in and do what I did,” he told The News-Gazette. “We didn’t make it down to state as a team — that was kind of upsetting — but I feel like I had a pretty good season overall. I’m going to have a better one this year.”

Davis’ play last season drummed up some early interest on the recruiting trail. Illinois was first to offer last December. Arizona State, Northwestern, Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois are also involved.

But the Illini are making a strong early push.

Davis took an unofficial visit to Champaign earlier this month and got eyes on the program, further cementing his relationship with the Illini in his recruiting process.

“They stay in touch often with me,” Davis said. “They look after me and ask about me often. I feel like it’s been really good early in my recruiting.”

Davis’ follow-up to his MaxPreps Freshman All-American season at Warren was more success on the Nike circuit this spring and summer. Running with Meanstreets at the E15 level alongside other Illinois targets like Bolingbrook guard Davion Thompson, former Whitney Young forward Howard Williams and North Scott (Iowa) wing Josiah Harrington, Davis flashed as a scorer and facilitator.

Davis put up 11 points, four assists and 2.9 rebounds per game during Meanstreets’ regular-season run in April and May. He was even better at Peach Jam in July. More productive putting up 14.5 points, 4.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. More efficient, too, shooting 55 percent from the field overall and 42 percent from three-point range.

“You’re playing top guys every game,” Davis said. “I feel like I played pretty well and started to develop more skills around my game to bring into the high school season and bring into the AAU season next year to try and win a Peach Jam championship.”

What Davis showed at Peach Jam is where he’s heard the most positive feedback from the Illinois coaching staff. Part scorer, part facilitator plays at any level.

“They like that I can get downhill and get into the paint,” Davis said. “If I get it in the paint, I can either score it or draw two people and kick it out for our shooters to knock down shots.”

Davis also likes what he’s seen from Illinois on the court.

“I like the speed they play with,” he said. “They play really fast and let you get threes up. Their play style translates to the NBA, and that’s my dream.”

Illinois’ recruiting efforts in the Class of 2027 extend beyond Davis, but not far beyond state lines. While Davis was starring at Warren, Thompson was doing the same at Bolingbrook. Same for Devin Cleveland at Kenwood Academy.

All three are on the Illini’s recruiting board.

“It’s actually amazing,” Davis said. “We played on the same AAU team in fifth and sixth grade. It’s amazing to see all three of us having success in our careers so far. All three of us should have a pretty good chance to play Division I basketball somewhere.

“People have got to pay attention to it now. Three guards coming out of the state is not a normal thing to have. I feel like it should brings eyes to Illinois basketball, for sure.”