Change of plans for Digital Harbor's Davon Usher
Davon Usher is set to leave home for college Saturday, but his destination will be different than what he originally planned.
Usher, who graduated from Digital Harbor in June, signed with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in November. But instead of suiting up for the Islanders this fall, the 6-foot-5, 185-pound shooting guard will play basketball at Polk State, a junior college in Winter Haven, Fla.
“I’m not going to Corpus Christi this year because [Islanders assistant coach and former Lake Clifton standout] Kevin Norris had left [for UNC-Wilmington] and we decided to go our separate ways,” Usher said. “But [I’m] still close [with the coaching staff]. We really parted ways on good terms. I still communicate with the head coach.”
Usher, who started his high school career at Carver before moving on to National Foundations Academy and then Digital Harbor, said there were complications with his academic paperwork and “everything didn’t get settled in fast enough to go to Corpus Christi.”
A Baltimore Sun first-team All-Metro selection, Usher spent the summer playing with Nike Baltimore Elite. Another season on the AAU circuit served him well.
“Playing AAU this past summer, I know my stock has gone higher,” Usher said. “Coming out of junior college, I could help some teams because of my maturity level. I won’t be coming in as a 17-year-old. So it should help my stock go up a little bit more and help me be an impact player sooner, rather than being behind somebody else and being a role player.”
Usher, who averaged 27 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals as a senior, isn’t the only local player to join Polk State's roster this year. Former Glen Burnie forward Justin Kuntz has also signed with the Vikings. While Usher hasn’t yet visited his home for the next two years, he’s excited to make the journey down to Florida this weekend.
“The coaches were real nice and cool,” Usher said. “And everything’s just going to work out for the best. Everything happens for a reason, so this might be a good situation.”
Baltimore Sun photo of Davon Usher by Gene Sweeney Jr. / Jan. 5, 2010
Comments
I am excited for Davon and know that he will be successful at Polk State. I know that his focus will not only be on athletics, but also academics. Basketball can be taken from anyone at any time. Education lasts a lifetime and no one could ever take it away from him. Do well Davon, I'm proud of you!
Posted by: paul britt | August 17, 2010 2:28 PM