Mr. Basketball: Trayce Jackson-Davis
Last night, the IndyStar/IBCA Mr. Basketball award was handed out at the annual IndyStar Sports Awards Banquet. It’s the highlight of the night, the best award for high school basketball in Indiana, and last night it was Center Grove’s Trayce…
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Continue ReadingLast night, the IndyStar/IBCA Mr. Basketball award was handed out at the annual IndyStar Sports Awards Banquet. It’s the highlight of the night, the best award for high school basketball in Indiana, and last night it was Center Grove’s Trayce Jackson-Davis’ time.
The 6’10 forward emerged from a slight 6’3 wing we saw in our annual Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase to not only become one of the best players in the state but the country. Ranked in elite company nationally, Jackson-Davis will join the likes of Caleb Swanigan and Gary Harris, Kris Wilkes, and Kyle Guy.
Once the high school season was over, there really wasn’t much discussion of who should be in the conversation but there also wasn’t much in the way of who the winner should be. For all the things that go into selecting a Mr. Basketball winner, Trayce had them all. The production, the high-level talent, in-state school commitment, tournament success, and just being the best player in high senior year.
You also had guys like Brandon Newman, Armaan Franklin, and Luke Bumbalough who were worthy contenders but as it has been the last few years, that one name always seems to pop up time and time again, rising to the top. Whether it was Center Grove’s run to Semistate this year with Trayce dropping 25 of his teams 29 points to beat Franklin or his 40 points to beat Bloomington South to win a Regional Championship. The run in March helped to seal it up.
Trayce will head to Indiana this Fall, giving them two-straight Mr. Basketball winners along with last year’s winner, Romeo Langford. Trayce will be asked to do a lot for them, to step up early and produce. But, with his play this year, most IU fans should feel quite a bit better about their chances.
The thing to also think about here is character. Indiana got one of the more humble 5-star prospects you will ever see in Langford. Jackson-Davis is quite the same. He’s a kid that has gone about things the way you would want, stays even keeled, and will represent the state and this award you would hope. It’s a cliche for sure, but things are different in Indiana and to have guys that represent the state with their character but also their talent means more here and that tradition seems to be continuing.
Former Mr. Basketball Winners:
2018: Romeo Langford (New Albany/Indiana)
2017: Kris Wilkes (North Central/UCLA)
2016: Kyle Guy (Lawrence Central/Virginia)
2015: Caleb Swanigan (Homestead/Purdue)
2014: Trey Lyles (Arsenal Tech/Kentucky)
2013: Zak Irvin (Hamilton Southeastern/Michigan)
2012: Gary Harris (Hamilton Southeastern/Michigan State)
2011: Cody Zeller (Washington/Indiana)
2010: Deshaun Thomas (Bishop Luers/Ohio State)
2009: Jordan Hulls (Bloomington South/Indiana)