This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Kyle Davis, a former 5A Most Valuable Player who played his freshman season at Southern Utah University, will transfer to Utah State, his father Mark told The Salt Lake Tribune on Friday.
Davis, a 6-foot-8 forward, is serving the final year of an LDS Church mission in Detroit. He will be eligible in time for the 2013-14 season. When he returns, he will have three seasons remaining.
"Kyle grew up watching Utah State basketball," Mark Davis said. "Playing on a bigger stage was a very intriguing option for him."
As a senior at Alta High, Kyle Davis led the Hawks to the Class 5A state championship in 2010, averaging 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds in the process. Davis then went on to play his freshman year with the Thunderbirds, where he averaged 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds a night. His best game was a 21-point, 14-rebound performance against Centenary. He can play both forward positions.
Davis received his release when former SUU coach Roger Reid's contract wasn't renewed. As a result, he won't have to sit out a year under NCAA transfer guidelines.
"Kyle played small forward in high school, and played power forward at Southern Utah," his father said. "He can shoot the ball, he's long and athletic, and he can block some shots. The offense at Utah State is a perfect fit for what he can do."
Davis is the second athletic wing with height to commit to Utah State coach Stew Morrill's program in the last year, following Sky View's Jalen Moore. Much like Moore, Davis' recruitment took a positive turn with Utah State's recent move to the Mountain West Conference. Davis, who lived in Boise, Idaho, for most of his life, played one season with Alta.
"Kyle is just a hard worker," Mark Davis said. "The chance for playing time is going to be there because of a big senior class moving on. This is a good fit for a lot of reasons."
Twitter: @tonyaggieville