After Jason Burton’s first season as head coach of Texas A&M-Commerce women’s basketball team, he hit the recruiting trail to find a diamond in the rough. He eventually found a Princess. In 2014, Princess Davis signed to play for Burton’s first recruiting class, after a stellar career at Green Oaks Academy in Shreveport, La.
The reserved point guard has led Burton’s teams in the past four seasons, and contributed to his coaching era becoming the most successful in program history.
“As a leader, I feel that I’ve been able to produce, being that I know the standards and expectations of this program,” said Davis. “I’m able to hold myself as well as my teammates accountable.”
Davis’ comeback after a knee injury that sidelined her junior year, and a scare last season that sent her to the hospital hasn’t stopped her drive. She now looks forward to attaining her master’s degree in May.
“Grad school has had its challenges but overall has been extremely rewarding,” said Davis who is also a committee chair member of SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Council).
This season Davis has been preparing for life after graduate school. She was recently selected to participate in the 2019 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) 'So You Want To Be a Coach' program. She’s one of seven Dll players who’ve been selected to attend the program for aspiring coaches during the Women’s Final Four.
"Mixing Princess' passion for people and basketball with her hard work and dedication to success, which she has demonstrated in the classroom and on the court, gives her the ingredients she needs to put to be a great coach,” said Burton.
Davis will leave a legacy as one of the most decorated Lions in program history. In November, she scored her 1000th point, only the 13th Lion to reach the feat. She currently sits in second for all-time assists in program history. This month, she became all-time leader in minutes played. Davis’ numerous career accomplishments include:
- Fall 2018 Lone Star Conference (LSC) Commissioner's Honor Roll
- WBCA Honorable Mention All-American
- Third Team All-LSC
- LSC All-Defensive Team
- All-LSC Honorable Mention
- LSC Freshman of the Year
- WDIIB All-Freshman Team
The Lions are currently sitting in third place in the conference standings; only two games from second place. Davis is aware her team shouldn’t look too far ahead with four games left in conference play.
“We have to continue to get in the gym, work on our game as individuals, and continue to build chemistry while trusting the process,” said Davis. “Playing together is very important as we get closer to March, these next four games are really big for us.”
The next two games will be at home, tonight and Saturday against Eastern New Mexico (12-3) and West Texas A&M (12-3). A&M-Commerce's final two games will be at UT-Permian Basin (1-14) and Western New Mexico (4-11).