Ricky Davis

Biography

Davis attended Davenport North High School in Davenport, Iowa. He was a four-year starter and the Davenport North team made the state tournament his junior and senior years but did not reach the championship.

Davis played one season at the University of Iowa before being selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft, as the 21st pick overall. Davis played two seasons with the Hornets before being traded to the Miami Heat in a massive nine-player trade on August 1, 2000.

Davis injured his ankle and knee with the Heat and only played a total of seven games for them, and was eventually sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team deal involving the Toronto Raptors a year later on October 26, 2001.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers re-signed Davis on August 21, 2002 to a six-year contract. Davis' time with Cleveland was marked by disputes with then head coach Paul Silas. Ricky Davis received national attention on March 16, 2003, in game against the Utah Jazz. With Cleveland ahead in the game 120–95, Davis was one rebound short of a triple-double with only a few seconds left on the clock. After receiving an inbound pass at the Cavs' end of the floor, Davis banged the ball off the rim and caught it in attempt to receive credit for a rebound. Shots taken at one's own basket do not count as shot attempts, so the play did not count as a rebound. Davis was fined by the Cavaliers for unsportsmanlike conduct, and the play led to Davis being nicknamed "Wrong Way Ricky" in Cleveland.

Boston Celtics

On December 15, 2003, Davis was traded along with Chris Mihm, Michael Stewart, and a second round draft pick to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Tony Battie, Eric Williams, and Kedrick Brown. With the Celtics, the 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) Davis played the position of shooting guard, as well as small forward on occasion. Boston was criticized for acquiring him via trade due to Davis's reputation of selfishness, but he became a more consistent player and a fan-favorite in the city.

Minnesota Timberwolves

On January 26, 2006, Davis was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves with Mark Blount, Marcus Banks, Justin Reed, and two second round draft picks for Wally Szczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi, Dwayne Jones and a first round draft pick.

Miami Heat

On October 24, 2007, Davis was again traded to the Miami Heat along with teammate Mark Blount in exchange for the Heat's Antoine Walker, Michael Doleac, Wayne Simien and a first-round draft pick. Davis was reunited with Pat Riley, and Riley admitted he made a mistake of trading Davis in the first place; "I made the mistake of trading him. He's a very talented kid. He was not a problem here. We just needed to move and get bigger players at that time. Over the last six years he has been very efficient."

Los Angeles Clippers

On July 28, 2008, Davis signed a multi-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. He was waived by the Clippers on February 16, 2010 to make room for newly acquired guard Steve Blake and forward Travis Outlaw. He appeared in 36 games for the Clippers in the 2009/10 season.

International career

On March 1, 2010, Davis signed a contract with the Turkish team Turk Telekom It would be his first time playing outside the USA. He said about signing with Telekom: "It will be my first European experience. I never watched matches. I just entered myself, and Turk Telekom B.K. signed me."

In October 2010, Davis signed a contract with the Jiangsu Dragons in China. In January 2011, Davis signed a contract with Chorale Roanne Basket in France. In 2012, Davis signed with the Piratas de Quebradillas of Puerto Rico.

NBA D-League career

On December 28, 2011, Davis was acquired by the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League. On January 21, 2012, he was waived by the Red Claws.

In November 2013, Davis was acquired by the Erie BayHawks of the NBA D-League. On March 18, 2014, he was released by the BayHawks.