NBL Awards Finalists: The Hits, The Misses, and the Biggest Snubs
February 9, 2025
Kendric Davis
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 14/05/99
- Place of Birth:
- Position: PG
- Height (CM): 180
- Weight (KG): 83
- Junior Assoc:
- College:
- NBL DEBUT: 22/09/24
- AGE AT DEBUT: 25
- LAST NBL GAME: 7/02/25
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 25
- NBL History: Adelaide 2025
- Championships: 0
- None
NBL EXPERIENCE
Kendric Davis made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 25 years of age. He scored 11 points in his first game.
A major off-season overhaul saw Adelaide part ways with multiple core contributors. Former captain Mitch McCarron (to New Zealand), rising star Trentyn Flowers (drafted into the NBA), import Jacob Wiley (to Spain), and rotation bigs Tohi Smith-Milner (to Brisbane), Kyrin Galloway (to Cairns), Trey Kell III (to Illawarra), and Akech Aliir (to Melbourne) all departed ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
In response, the 36ers swiftly locked in key returnees. Dejan Vasiljevic re-signed on a three-year deal and was elevated to team captain, while Isaac Humphries also committed to a fresh three-year contract. Developmental locals Fiston Ipassou and Keanu Rasmussen were retained on one-year deals, and South Australian swingman Jacob Rigoni extended his stay on a two-year contract with a club option.
To replenish the roster, Adelaide recruited heavily. Import guard Kendric Davis was signed to a one-year deal following a standout G League stint and was installed as the team’s lead playmaker. Joining him were forward Lat Mayen (via Cairns), 21-year-old Ben Griscti (from UC Riverside), and NBL1 standout Patrick D’Arcy. Former Sydney Kings big man Jarell Martin joined via Turkey, but an early injury sidelined him for the opening stretch. To cover Martin’s absence, the club pulled off one of the biggest signings in league history by securing former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell. Veteran guard Jason Cadee and replacement wing Tom Kubank rounded out the rotation.
Adelaide’s season began unsteadily with consecutive losses, including a 94–102 defeat to Sydney in their opener. They rebounded strongly on October 3 with a 93–83 win over South East Melbourne. That sparked a run of five wins in six games, including a thrilling 102–100 road win over Illawarra on October 5 where Kendric Davis sealed the comeback with a go-ahead three. By late October, Adelaide had climbed to a 5–3 record. On October 25, they outlasted Cairns 99–93 in overtime behind a 36-point, 16-rebound showing from Harrell and 8 assists from Davis.
Their momentum slowed dramatically in November and December, as Adelaide dropped seven of eight games and slid to 7–11. A flashpoint came on November 17 during a heated clash with Melbourne United, where Harrell was ejected and later suspended for three games after an altercation with fans. Davis received a two-game suspension for his role. During their absence, the 36ers struggled to stay competitive, suffering heavy defeats including a 73–77 loss to Tasmania and an 83–102 loss in Brisbane. Despite Davis’s individual brilliance—posting 37 points and 11 assists in a shootout loss to Perth and following it up with 36 points and 9 assists in a win over New Zealand—the team continued to struggle defensively, conceding over 110 points on multiple occasions. Vasiljevic also dealt with a minor hamstring niggle late in the year, compounding the team’s mid-season challenges.
January saw a full-strength squad return, and Adelaide responded by playing with renewed urgency. They opened 2025 with a commanding 100–81 upset over second-placed Melbourne United behind 28 points each from Davis and Harrell. Davis followed with an elite 39-point, 7-assist showing in an OT loss to Tasmania, and hit a buzzer-beating three in the next game to down Illawarra. The team went on a four-game win streak, including a dominant 99–75 road win in Cairns, where Vasiljevic led with 32 points in just over 10 minutes. Another pivotal win came on January 24 against Sydney, with Davis dropping 30 points and Harrell grabbing 11 rebounds in front of a hostile crowd. Vasiljevic also played a key leadership role in the win against his former team.
However, Adelaide dropped their last three regular season games, including a tight 89–92 defeat to Brisbane on January 31 where Vasiljevic posted a double-double (20 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists). The 36ers finished the regular season at 13–15, clinching 6th place via tiebreaker over Tasmania. The team went 9–6 at home and 4–10 on the road, averaging 97.9 points per game but conceding 2796, reflecting defensive inconsistencies.
Adelaide entered the play-in tournament with momentum and stunned defending champions Sydney on February 13, winning 95–88 on the road. Vasiljevic led all scorers with 25 points in a high-stakes performance against his former club, while Harrell nearly posted a triple-double (8 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists). The run ended three nights later with a 75–85 loss to South East Melbourne Phoenix. Davis scored 26, and Harrell grabbed 14 rebounds, but the offense faltered under playoff pressure.
Kendric Davis (25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.8 assists across 27 games) was the engine that powered Adelaide’s offense. He led the NBL in both points and assists, with eight games of 30+ points and consistent fourth-quarter production. His ability to create off the dribble, connect from deep, and make plays in traffic gave Adelaide a dynamic edge. Off the court, Davis’s competitive fire occasionally sparked internal friction—most notably a heated confrontation with head coach Mike Wells after a January win—yet he remained focused and professional throughout the season.
Only two players in NBL history—Andrew Gaze and Derek Rucker—had previously averaged at least 25 points and 8 assists in a season, placing Kendric Davis in elite company. His exceptional production made him the clear choice for the Mark Davis Trophy (Club MVP), the Members’ Choice MVP, and a spot on the All-NBL First Team. He was also named a finalist for the Andrew Gaze League MVP award, further cementing his status as one of the league’s top-tier performers. Davis’s arrival transformed Adelaide’s backcourt and played a central role in returning the 36ers to playoff contention.
Montrezl Harrell (20.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists across 26 games) anchored the frontcourt with physicality and emotional intensity. Despite missing time due to suspension, he was a consistent double-double threat and injected toughness into the lineup. His 36-point explosion in the Cairns overtime win was one of the season’s standout performances. Harrell’s contributions earned him All-NBL Second Team honours and made him a fan favourite.
Kendric Davis currently plays for the Adelaide 36ers and has played 27 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 25.6 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists since entering the league in 2024.
CURRENT CONTRACT:
Adelaide 36ers – Signed with SYD
CAREER RANKINGS:
– 31st in points per game.
– 3rd in assists per game.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | #N/A | Adelaide | 13-16 (6) | 27 | 308.0 | 692 | 109 | 216 | 100 | 9 | 36 | 5 | 83 | 68 | 226 | 464 | 49% | 63 | 168 | 38% | 177 | 219 | 81% | 61% | 55% | 39 | Totals | 27 | 308 | 692 | 109 | 216 | 100 | 9 | 36 | 5 | 83 | 68 | 226 | 464 | 48.7% | 63 | 168 | 37.5% | 177 | 219 | 80.8% | 62% | 55% | 39 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | #N/A | Adelaide | 13-16 (6) | 27 | 11.4 | 25.6 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 3.1 | 2.5 | 8.4 | 17.2 | 49% | 2.3 | 6.2 | 38% | 6.6 | 8.1 | 81% | 61% | 55% | 39 | Total | 27 | 11.4 | 25.6 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 3.1 | 2.5 | 8.4 | 17.2 | 48.7% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 37.5% | 2.3 | 6.2 | 80.8% | 62% | 55% | 39 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 39 | 8 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- China - Nanjing Tongxi (2025)
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 99% | 100% | 90% | 61% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 39 | 13 | 4 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 226 | 464 | 48.7% | 63 | 168 | 37.5% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | #N/A | Adelaide | 7-8 (8) | 13 | 14.0 | 303 | 48 | 93 | 44 | 4 | 21 | 1 | 32 | 30 | 96 | 202 | 48% | 28 | 75 | 37% | 83 | 100 | 83% | 61% | 54% | 37 | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
In 2025, after a season with Adelaide in the NBL, Davis signed to play in China with Nanjing Tongxi Monkey King for their remaining 10 games of the season. There he would play alongside fellow NBL star, Tacko Fall.
COLLEGE
Kendric Davis began his college career at Texas Christian University (TCU) in the 2018–19 season. As a freshman, he played in 37 games, averaging 6.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 17.1 minutes per game. He shot 40.9% from the field, 31.9% from three-point range, and 70.6% from the free-throw line.
For the 2019–20 season, Davis transferred to Southern Methodist University (SMU), where he saw a significant increase in playing time and production. As a sophomore, he played 26 games, averaging 14.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in 34.8 minutes per game. He improved his shooting efficiency, hitting 44.9% from the field and 85.4% from the free-throw line.
Davis continued his strong play at SMU as a junior in the 2020–21 season, averaging 19.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists over 17 games. He improved his shooting percentages across the board, finishing the season with 48.1% from the field, 37.3% from three-point range, and 83.3% from the free-throw line.
In the 2021–22 season, his senior year at SMU, Davis played 32 games and averaged 19.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 34.6 minutes per game. He shot 43.9% from the field, 37.2% from deep, and 86.8% from the free-throw line.
For his final college season in 2022–23, Davis transferred to Memphis, where he played 34 games and posted career-best numbers in scoring with 21.9 points per game, along with 3.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 34.9 minutes per contest. He shot 41.4% from the field, 34.6% from three, and 85.4% from the free-throw line.
Over his five-year college career, Kendric Davis played in 146 games and compiled 2,292 total points, averaging 15.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. He finished with a career shooting percentage of 43.5% from the field, 35.1% from three-point range, and 83.9% from the free-throw line.
AWARDS
- 1x All-NBL First Team
Related
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