Antonio Davis

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Lore & Background

Davis played college basketball at UTEP under coach Don Haskins from 1986 to 1990. He was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the second round, 45th overall of the 1990 NBA draft. He initially played with Panathinaikos in the Greek League from 1990 to 1992, and with Philips Milano of the Italian League during the 1992–93 season, winning the FIBA Korać Cup championship with Milano. In 1993, he signed with the Indiana Pacers as a free agent. He was traded to the Toronto Raptors on August 1, 1999. He was elected to the NBA All-Star Team for the first and only time in his career in the 2000–01 season.

In Their Own Story

The next year the Pacers won 52 games and the Central Division title thanks to the addition of Mark Jackson; Davis meanwhile played in 44 games averaging 7.6 points a game with 6.4 rebounds a game as he missed significant time due to injury. In the playoffs the Pacers faced the Atlanta Hawks for the second consecutive season. The Pacers swept the Hawks in three straight games, then found themselves in a rematch with the Knicks in the second round; in game one (which saw the ejections of Davis and Derek Harper) teammate Reggie Miller made a three-pointer and then stole the inbounds pass and tied the game with another three-pointer right in front of Knicks fan Spike Lee who was just a few feet away. Miller added 2 free throws and gave the Pacers a comeback win. The Pacers lost Game 2 and the series returned to Indiana. After four games, the Pacers took a 3–1 series lead; however, the Knicks bounced back and forced the seventh game at Madison Square Garden. The Pacers emerged victorious as Patrick Ewing's last-second shot did not go in the basket. With a 1-point win, the Pacers qualified for the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive season. As with their first and second-round opponents, the Pacers played a young talented Orlando Magic team led by Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway in a rematch of the previous postseason. The Pacers pushed Orlando to a 7th game before losing the series.

Reader's Guide

Davis played as a forward/center. Known for his rebounding and shot-blocking, he averaged a double-double (13.7 points, 10.1 rebounds) in his All-Star season with the Raptors. He served as president of the NBPA and later became a studio analyst for ESPN and co-host on SiriusXM NBA Radio.

Did You Know?

• Davis was drafted 45th overall in the 1990 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers.
• He won the FIBA Korać Cup championship with Philips Milano in the 1992–93 season.
• Davis was elected to the NBA All-Star Team once, in the 2000–01 season.
• He served as president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).