When Koron Davis made his decision to transfer to the UL Ragin’ Cajuns, it wasn’t a choice he made lightly.
When he left Los Angeles Southwest Community College for Louisville a year ago, it was more of a spur-of-the-moment decision — one he soon regretted.
“I felt like don’t rush the process as fast as I did out of junior college,” the 6-foot-6 Davis said of transferring to UL. “I kind of went with one of my first options in junior college because it's close to home. Now, I went through most of my options and saw what was the best fit for me.”
The native of Gary, Indiana, didn’t visit Louisville before signing and didn’t get along with Louisville coach Kenny Payne, who was fired after the season.
Davis was recruited to the Cardinals after averaging 23.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals as a sophomore at Los Angeles Southwest. He made 33% of his 3-pointers and shot 81% at the free-throw line.
As a freshman, Davis averaged 15.7 points and 6.6 rebounds at Paris Community College in Texas.
But after playing in a scrimmage and exhibition game at Louisville, his difficulties with Payne began and he never played a regular-season game at the school.
Just days before the start of the 2023-24 season, Louisville sports information director Zach Greenwell issued a statement to the Louisville Report denying a rumored altercation between Davis and Payne.
Six weeks later, Louisville issued a statement that Davis had left the team, which Davis refuted on social media by writing, “I never asked to transfer. I enjoy being a Cardinal. The fact an official statement was released giving false information is disheartening and sad.”
From that moment on, Davis knew he’d be transferring and tried to remain positive.
“I blocked out all the noise,” Davis said after Monday's first practice in Lafayette. “My teammates made it easier for me to deal with. They knew what was going on and they helped me and kept telling me to keep going until I get the opportunity to go somewhere else.”
From his visit, Davis saw a different atmosphere on the Lafayette campus.
“When I visited here, it seemed like a place to where I could impact the program right away,” Davis said. “It didn’t seem like a rebuild like where I came from. It seemed like most of the players were coming back and they must have liked it here.”
From talking to his new teammates, Davis heard one message loud and clear.
“I felt like they told me that basically that nothing is given to anyone here,” Davis said. “We’ve all got to work for a spot. That’s what they told me that I really liked about it. If it’s given, then nobody has to work for it.”
Davis has played everything from point guard to post player in his career, and he’s not concerned that the year off from competition will set him back.
“At junior college, I got more physical and I rebounded the ball well, because that’s what they taught and I started playing defense better,” Davis said. “Last year, I was around the program at the beginning of the year. Basically last year was like my learning year where I could see how it’s going to be.
“I still stayed in the gym for me to be ready at my next spot. I was talking to me teammates and taking their experiences and then going to the gym and working. I knew that eventually I’d get the opportunity somewhere else to do what I’ve got to do.”
UL coach Bob Marlin described Davis as a player who “can score the ball at all three levels and uses his athleticism to flourish in transition.”
While Davis said he can help UL on the court in many ways, being a leader tops his agenda.
“I’m going to try to focus on being a leader,” Davis said. “I can put the ball in the hoop and score and all that. I know at the next level, there’s not a lot of people that want to be a leader and lead the team.”
Davis joins a long list of UL newcomers that also includes junior college guard Mostapha El Moutaouakkil, Oregon State transfer Christian Wright, Eastern Illinois transfer Kyndall Davis, Jackson State transfer Zeke Cook and high school senior Jeremiah Evans of Southwood High.
Davis does not lack motivation entering next season.
“I was sick, man,” Davis said of his experience last season. “Basketball, I’ve played it my whole life. Without a year of basketball, it made me sick. All it did was basically make my motor high and be more motivated to play this year.”
