Hubert Davis recalls memories of playing basketball in New York, commits to return

After a standout career as a player at North Carolina, Hubert Davis heard his name called in the first round of the 1992 NBA Draft. He was heading to New York, where played the first four years of his career with the Knicks and his home games at Madison Square Garden.

Now in his second year as the head coach at his alma mater, he wants North Carolina to play under the bright lights of the city more often.

“Every year, as long as I’m head coach, the Tar Heels will be up in New York,” he said.

Davis’ experience at Madison Square Garden goes back beyond his time with the Knicks, though. Legendary UNC coach Dean Smith took the Tar Heels there — or, at the very least, to New Jersey — for many games over the years. Then, of course, Davis got to experience playing for the home crowd at MSG to start his NBA career.

That’s what makes MSG so special for him as he prepares to go back for the CBS Sports Classic against Ohio State this weekend.

“No. 1, that’s where Coach Smith used to take us every year,” Davis said. “We always, every year, played a game in New York. I just remember playing in Madison Square Garden and if we didn’t play there, we played in the Meadowlands where the New Jersey Nets used to play. We always, every year, had a presence up there in New York. No. 2 is that’s where I started my NBA career and I played there for four years. It’s just a special place for me.

“I haven’t been back to The Garden since I retired from the NBA in 2004. To go back there again, the place where it all started for me, personally, as a professional, is really exciting to me. Also, the four years that I was here at North Carolina, we always had three or four guys from New York on our team. They always had a nice chip on their shoulder, and I like those type of guys. I like to have a presence recruiting up in New York.”

Hubert Davis recalls first trip to Madison Square Garden

Davis also reflected on many memories from his trips to New York as a player. That includes his first time going there as a freshman, and Smith made sure to give him the full experience. Add in his time as a Knick, and it’s easy to understand why MSG is so special to him.

“I remember the first time that I played in Madison Square Garden,” Davis said. “It was my freshman year and we were in the preseason NIT. It was the first time that I was ever in New York City. Coach Smith called me up to the front of the bus and I sat with Coach Smith and he was pointing out all the buildings to me because I couldn’t believe how big the city was. We ended up losing to Missouri in the semifinals and then we beat Indiana in the consolation game. That was my first time in the Garden.

“Then, being there four years playing for Pat Riley and Jeff Van Gundy and all those years, we were in the Eastern Conference finals or we got to the NBA Finals and we lost to Houston in Game 7. I just have a lot of memories playing with Doc Rivers and Patrick Ewing and John Starks and Charles Oakley and Charles Smith. Some really good teams and unbelievable coaches that I [was] able to be around every day.”