In Focus: Davis Determined To Prove 'I'm Good Enough'
April 16, 2015 | General, Women's Basketball
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
When the game gets difficult, Jazmine Davis wants to hear one thing: “You're not good enough.”
After a long day of training and facing one last set of wind sprints meant to test her determination, the No. 6 scorer in Pac-12 history (2,277 points) wants to be told that, in the basketball community, “nobody knows who you are.”
The guard has been playing with a chip on her shoulder for so many years, having someone tell her she can't provides all the motivation she needs to invest the energy required maximize her potential.
As she prepares for today's WNBA draft, Davis has used that mentality to prepare herself to play at the next level. Now all she needs is a chance.
“I've always been under the radar,” Davis said. “I think I just got to a point where I decided I'm going to use that as motivation. I use that as motivation when I'm tired.”
| Pac-12 All-Time Scoring Leaders | ||
| Player | School | Total Points |
| Chiney Ogwumike | Stanford | 2,737 |
| Candice Wiggins | Stanford | 2,629 |
| Nnemkadi Ogwumike | Stanford | 2,491 |
| Lisa Leslie | USC | 2,414 |
| Tanja Kostic | Oregon State | 2,349 |
| Jazmine Davis | Washington | 2,277 |
| Tina Thompson | USC | 2,248 |
| Adia Barnes | Arizona | 2,237 |
| Kate Starbird | Stanford | 2,215 |
| Ashley Walker | California | 2,142 |
Davis wasn't a big-name recruit coming out of high school, but she finished her first year at Washington with 535 points, a freshman record. Now, as she works to continue her career, she has left a legacy that extends beyond the Huskies' program.
She has set herself among some of the best players to ever compete in the Pac-12. Her scoring mark places her ahead of conference legends like Tina Thompson and Kate Starbird and not far behind Lisa Leslie.
She is second in field goals attempted in conference history, second in free throws made and third in three-pointers attempted. She is the Huskies' all-time leader in scoring and three-pointers, among several other categories, and is the only four-time All-Pac-12 player in the school's history.
“The school has really prepared me,” Davis said.
Each time Davis takes the floor, she tells herself, “I'm good enough.” She wants others to tell her she can't, while she shows them she can.
The guard has been playing with a chip on her shoulder for so many years, having someone tell her she can't provides all the motivation she needs to invest the energy required maximize her potential.
“I have this chip in my shoulder,” she said. “I play every game like you've never seen me. I don't need to search for all those accolades and recognition. I let me game speak for itself.
“This person in front of me doesn't know I'm good enough, so I need to show her I'm good enough. I've got to show her I'm fast enough. I've got to show this person I'm smart enough. It's an internal thing for me.”
The inner dialogue pushing her toward success is something Davis has always had running in the background.
“It's helped me in games,” Davis said. “It's helped me push and create a second wind, third wind, fourth wind.”
As the WNBA prepares to welcome in its latest group of prospects, Davis has done whatever she can to position herself to be selected in the draft.
Now she needs a chance. She had proven capable of competing at every level so far. She is looking for one more opportunity.
“If I get that opportunity, it will be in my hands,” she said. “I've done what I've done. I've controlled what I can control. Now I have the opportunity to show you. I'm taking care of my part here.”
She has done everything she can to get herself ready. All that is left to do is wait for her name to be called.
“The journey is going to be hard,” Davis said. “I know that. Now I'm competing with people who have been there for years, veterans. I know it's not going to be easy, but I've learned to step up to the challenge.
“I'm excited.”
