The St. John’s Edge will have former NBA star Glen “Big Baby” Davis in its lineup this weekend for a pair of National Basketball League of Canada games against P.E.I.’s Island Storm.
As was first reported in The Telegram last Thursday, Davis will suit up for the Edge, starting Friday night as St. John’s opens a brief four-game, pre-Christmas homestand at Mile One Centre.
Davis is expected to arrive in St. John’s Wednesday night.
The Edge have made room for Davis by releasing Chadrick Lufile, who played in a recent three-game swing through the Maritimes, and activating Canadian Kevin Zabo from injured reserve. St. John's has a full 12-man roster, but no one on the reserve list.
A 6-9 power forward, the 32-year-old Davis is a former Southeast Conference player of the year while starring in college ball with Louisiana State University. He was drafted 35th overall by the Seattle SuperSonics, but was packaged in a trade with the Boston Celtics before ever wearing a Seattle jersey.
Davis won an NBA championship with the Celtics in 2008. Throughout his eight-year NBA tenure, he also played for the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers.
His last NBA season came in 2014-15.
Davis averaged double figures in scoring three times in the NBA, his best year coming in 2012-13 when he netted 15.1 points per game and grabbed 7.2 rebounds for the Orlando Magic.
His single-game high was a 33-point performance against the Philadelphia 76ers while toiling for the Orlando Magic in 2013.
Davis signed to play in Croatia this season. He headed overseas, but didn't suit up with KK Zadar. Media reports cited weight issues and attitude problems.
Last March, Davis was charged with possession and intent to distribute following an arrest in a Maryland hotel room. Besides the 126 grams of marijuana found in the room, there was a briefcase with $92,000 in cash tucked inside.
In April, he was charged with felony assault stemming from an altercation outside an L.A. nightclub.
St. John’s coach Doug Plumb told The Telegram this past weekend he has no problem bringing Davis into the Edge fold.
“We really had great talks with their side, a lot of open dialogue,” Plumb said. “He wants to play, and he wants to win. Every interaction I’ve had with him has been fantastic.
“Look,” Plumb said, “I’m a huge believer in second chances. No person is perfect, and I don’t believe in crucifying someone because they made a mistake.
“I believe players want consistency, and they want to know where they fit in. As coaches, we have to be prepared and be thorough, be clear on what we want from the players.
“Talking to Glen, he said all the right things. … I’ve got a good feeling here.”
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