Ex-Lafayette star Jackson Davis ‘a monumental recruit’ for EKU

Jackson Davis, a former Lafayette High School star who played two seasons at Butler University, has signed to play at Eastern Kentucky.

“Jackson Davis is a monumental recruit for our program,” EKU Coach Dan McHale said. “Getting a local kid with Big East experience enhances our brand and is huge for the university. Jackson is a tremendous talent who plays every possession like it’s his last one. He has a passion for rebounding and a skill set that fits my up-tempo system.”

Davis will have to sit out the 2016-17 season due to NCAA transfer rules. He will be a junior in 2017-18.

The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 2.5 points and 1.6 rebounds in 5.7 minutes per game as a sophomore at Butler. He scored a career-high 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the Bulldogs’ season-opening win over the Citadel on Nov. 14. He added five points, eight rebounds and two steals in a Big East road win over St. John’s on Feb. 6.

Davis, a finalist for Mr. Basketball in 2014, averaged 24.6 points, 13.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game as a senior at Lafayette. He finished his high school career as the Generals’ all-time leader in points (2,343), rebounds (1,372) and blocks (321).

“Jackson was well coached at Lafayette by Mike Mendenhall,” McHale said. “He is a tremendous student and a welcome addition to the EKU community. To say that I’m thrilled he is a Colonel is an understatement.”

Davis joins Louisville transfer Dillon Avare (Lexington Catholic), junior college forward Zach Charles (Mesquite, Texas) and incoming freshman guards Asante Gist (West Orange, N.J.) and Parker Chitty (Columbus, Ind.) in EKU’s 2016 signing class.

This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 11:28 AM with the headline "Ex-Lafayette star Jackson Davis ‘a monumental recruit’ for EKU."