Kendric Davis pauses politely to consider the question.
It’s a question the reigning AAC Player of The Year has heard many times since transferring to Memphis from rival SMU.
“Why Memphis?” he repeats quietly. “It’s the stage. I just thought coming here with the stage, my draft stock can only increase. Just winning big here can only help and playing in the FedExForum and learning from one of the best players to ever come out of Memphis, there was just so much right (in Memphis)."
It’s the answer he has repeated many times to Tiger fans and Memphis media members seeking to learn more about the star point guard who turned from top rival to top recruit.
But the full story of how Memphis landed the No. 1 transfer prospect goes beyond the stage, the team, the coach and even the Memphis Tiger basketball program.
“It’s the stage. I just thought coming here with the stage, my draft stock can only increase. Just winning big here can only help and playing in the FedExForum and learning from one of the best players to ever come out of Memphis, there was just so much right (in Memphis)" , Davis says.
“Ja reached out to me, and then my best friend Desmond Bane,” he said. “It just felt right. Desmond has been my best friend since my freshman year of college and just seeing him going to the Grizzlies and then I have a chance to play for Penny and the city.”
It doesn’t take much research to understand why Davis is widely considered one the top players in the AAC.
The Houston-native racked up 1,548 points in 112 games following one season at TCU and another three at SMU. His 17.5 point-per-game SMU scoring average at the point guard spot makes him one of the most consistent producers in the conference, while his 44.5 percent shooting percentage and 4.6 assists per game average make him one of the most efficient.
So when Davis thought about how he could raise his draft stock in his final college year, he decided to test the transfer portal waters. Then the phone immediately rang.
It was Penny Hardaway.
“I was in the portal and within 30 seconds, (Hardaway) was the first call,” he said. “He then called me every day."
Hardaway wasn’t the only college coach calling. Davis said “many” programs reached out to see if he would consider transferring, but it would be two calls from non-Tigers that would put Memphis over the top.
First Ja Morant called. Then Desmond Bane, former teammate of Davis at TCU, called. Both Grizzly superstars wanted Davis to make a new home in Memphis.
“Ja reached out to me, and then my best friend Desmond Bane,” he said. “It just felt right. Desmond has been my best friend since my freshman year of college and just seeing him going to the Grizzlies and then I have a chance to play for Penny and the city.”
“They just made it feel like home, and Ja made me feel like we gonna turn it into a point guard city. It was so much that I could go right with, I knew this was the fit.”
“I work my butt off and I am very detailed about how I work. I take care of my body, most athletes wait till they get to the NBA to start seeing what they eat, but I do it now. I work hard and I’m willing to listen.”
Despite never dribbling a ball in a Tiger jersey, Davis says he already feels right at home in FedExForm. The data backs it up.
Last season, Davis led SMU to an upset of the Tigers at home, scoring 20 points on 6-14 shooting.
Following two regular season games last year against Memphis, Davis finished 16-33 with six steals and 47 points.
“I’m really familiar with Memphis after playing them three years and I know Penny knew my game more than anybody because he had to play against me,” Davis says.
For the 2021-22 season, Davis lead his team in minutes played, points, steals, assists, free-throws made and three-point field goals.
His efforts helped SMU to a NIT appearance and Davis took home AAC Player of the Year honors.
The question Davis most often hears now (besides why Memphis) is why does he believe that he can do the same at Memphis?
“Coach Penny says I just got a sauce and swagger about me that he hasn’t seen, but I think it’s hard work,” Davis said. “My work ethic, and just appreciating the gift God gave me and not taking it for granted. At any moment in can be snatched from you.”
The work ethic that Davis brought to TCU and SMU is now already apparent in Memphis.
The overnight janitor at the Memphis basketball facility already knows Davis by name due to his late-night sessions.
“Her name is Ms. Ruby, we are friends,” Davis says. “She said to me, ‘I’m seeing you all night.’”
“I work my butt off and I am very detailed about how I work. I take care of my body, most athletes wait till they get to the NBA to start seeing what they eat, but I do it now. I work hard and I’m willing to listen.”
But Davis knows that he will have to prove it on the court this year in order to put his name next to legendary Tiger point guards. He also knows Morant and Bane will be watching.
“I love the expectations, and the expectations for playing for Memphis is high,” Davis says. “Coach tells me all the time the city has not been this excited by a point guard since Tyreke Evans and Derrick Rose.”
“I mean those are big shoes to fill, so I’m just working every day and trying to make the city proud and bring a championship here.”