Davis’ college visits focused on Big Ten, but list could expand

The most important weeks of high school basketball season have arrived, but the schedule is slowing down.

So Warren junior Jaxson Davis has had time to make some college visits. The No. 45-ranked player by On3 for the Class of 2027 was at the Illinois-Indiana game two weeks ago. Last weekend he made it to both Purdue and Michigan State, while on March 8 he's set to visit Ann Arbor for the Michigan-Michigan State clash.

“I'm just waiting it out right now, honestly, just laying out my options,” Davis said Wednesday. “Seeing what schools can still come in contact late, you never know. And what schools are going to keep going at it in recruitment. I'm guessing probably a decision around fall ’26.”

At this point his recruitment is centered mostly in the Big Ten. Purdue, Michigan, Illinois and Michigan State seem to be in the top group, but he's also starting to hear from schools in other regions, like Missouri, Georgia and Alabama. Marquette is staying in touch, along with Northwestern and Iowa.

Davis admitted one school that could still get his attention is Duke. Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer, a Glenbrook North grad, was coached by Davis' father, Brian, in his younger days.

“Duke was supposed to come to an open gym in the fall but never did,” Jaxson Davis said. “They talked to my dad a little bit. I actually like Duke a lot. I would say that's my dream school.”

This is also maybe the strongest the Big Ten has been in a few decades, with five teams projected to earn top-four seeds in the NCAA Tournament. So Davis has experienced some intense college atmospheres on his visits.

“Big Ten on the road is tough for other teams,” he said. “I always say (Purdue's) Mackey Arena is just off the charts. Anybody that loves basketball, they have to experience Mackey Arena when it's packed. You can't hear anything. Breslin (at Michigan State) was amazing too. Getting a feel for the environment is really cool.”

These are unofficial visits, but Davis is allowed to go in the locker room and listen to the coaches address the players.

“I would say mainly I watch how their play style is, how do they utilize their point guard,” he said. “I like coaches that can push their guys hard and give it to them real. Whatever can help me best develop and ultimately make it to my dream, which is to play in the NBA.”

Last year as a sophomore, Davis was named Illinois Mr. Basketball and led Warren to a runner-up finish in the Class 4A tournament. The Blue Devils' bid for another trip downstate began Wednesday with an 81-32 victory over Zion-Benton.

“Six more wins is what we're talking about,” Davis said. “It was seven before tonight. We've got to clean some stuff up and be ready to go Friday to try to win our third straight regional championship.”