VA Assault "Foundation" to UD
Ron Bailey, Publisher
VA Assault/Richmond, VA duo headed to CAA.
August 17, 2010 - Yesterday the VA Assault tandem of Jarvis Threatt and Marvin King-Davis decided the University of Delaware and its basketball program, led by head coach Monte Ross would be home. The young men and their AAU coach were bullish on the choice.
"I think both of them are a great get for Delaware" said Jerry McFarland of his young charges' decision. "It's a perfect situation for both of the kids. They will have an opportunity to contribute greatly. It presents a situation to be part of a program where they can make an impact".
King-Davis being athletic, can finish, rebound and defend. He understands consistent outside shooting and a go-to move are important for the future.
King-Davis, a 6'7", 215 lb senior from Richmond, VA's Meadowbrook High School, when asked about his decision, stated "I picked Delaware because I liked the coaching staff and they were recruiting me hard which shows that they were very interested". Additionally playing in the Colonial Athletic Association "means a lot of our away games will be close so my parents can watch me play".
Threatt, who attends Richmond's Highland Springs High School felt similarly, saying Delaware "was after me from the beginning and it is a great opportunity to play early". The 6'3", 170 lb senior said of Ross and his staff "I really love the coach's personality and I felt like they have my best interest in heart". Of the CAA, he indicated it's "a conference where I can make a name for myself and lead Delaware back to a CAA Championship".
Position-wise, Threatt will be a point guard, as he can find opponents, score at the rim/finish, and hit jump shots. King-Davis will play face up four collegiately, where he can score from 15 feet, slash, initiate his back to the basket moves in space, rebound and defend.
Threatt is an offensive threat from outside or at the rim. Going forward he's focused on getting stronger and solififying his jumper.
In addition to Delaware, St. Francis (PA), Robert Morris, Buffalo and Longwood offered King-Davis, while Fairfield, Iona, Northeastern were interested. Threatt received offers from Jacksonville, Chattanooga, Tennessee Tech and of course the Blue Hens.
Continuing to compete on the same team was definitely a selling point according to McFarland, who revealed "They talked about playing together. It was one of the things that facilitated them committing to the University of Delaware".
King-Davis said of his synergy with Threatt and its relationship to UD, "Playing with Jarvis also helped make the decision easier because we already have chemistry together on the court, so playing college ball together seems like a good idea".
It's with VA Assault that their relationship on and off the floor started to develop. "Our organization is just two years old. They were my first two guys that committed to play for Assault when we went down to that area (Richmond)" recalled McFarland, a long time AAU/travel team coach. "They were the foundation of my program".
McFarland also shared "We were like one big family...That facilitated us doing some special things this year (including winning tourney titles in Philly, Indiana and Virginia). They wanted wanted to carry that on".
Evidently, the staff at Delaware, including Ross and assistant Mike Pegues, believe Threatt and King-Davis can bring that winning spirit and production to Delaware.
Congrats go out to the young guys and their families.
(Both King-Davis and Threatt were tabbed DC Assault Summer Classic all tourney)