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Greg Gard pens heartfelt statement after Johnny Davis decision

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•03/31/22•

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(Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It wasn’t unexpected, but Johnny Davis made it official Thursday by declaring for the NBA Draft. After he made the announcement, his head coach offered a heartfelt statement.

Wisconsin coach Greg Gard reacted to Davis’ decision to leave the Badgers after two years with the program. He helped the Badgers to a co-Big Ten title this year and earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors for his performance.

“We are so proud of Johnny and excited for his future in professional basketball,” Gard wrote. “He is one of the best to ever play at Wisconsin and wearing that Wisconsin uniform meant a lot to him. We’re grateful for everything he has done for this program and can’t wait to follow his success in the NBA. He will be a tremendous representative for the entire state of Wisconsin at the next level.

“What he was able to accomplish during his career was phenomenal. Not just the stats and the championships, but as coaches, we couldn’t have asked for anything more as a player, a teammate and a member of our community. We always knew Johnny was tough and he showed that all season long, never more than down the stretch. We knew he was hurting, but he laid it all on the line for his teammates. That’s a toughness that will translate at any level.”

Johnny Davis declares for 2022 NBA Draft

Davis appeared on NBA Today on Thursday and officially declared for the draft. The Big Ten Player of the Year and Consensus All-American was Wisconsin’s leading scorer and helped the Badgers to a co-Big Ten title in 2021-22.

“My time here at Wisconsin was great,” Davis said on the show. “It was an unforgettable experience. I thank all my coaches and my teammates that I had in my corner. With that being said, I’d like to announce that I’m declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft and hiring an agent and can’t wait for what happens next.”

Davis averaged 19.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as Wisconsin became a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. It was a drastic improvement from his 7.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest as a freshman in 2020-21.

Davis earned AP All-American honors and, on Wednesday, was named a Wendy’s All-American this season. He’s also a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year award, which will be announced April 3 during the Final Four in New Orleans.

In On3’s Jamie Shaw’s Mock Draft 2.0 earlier this month, he projected Davis to go No. 8 overall.