The Davis-Walker connection: How UNC's RJ Davis and MSU's Tyson Walker grew up playing together in NYC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — RJ Davis has the ball. He cuts left, then right, pausing at the top of the arc. He steps back before letting the ball fly. The buzzer sounds, signifying the end of the half.

Swish. 

Before the ball even reaches the net, he turns around and begins his walk back to the bench. There’s no cheer of celebration, no smile — he just pulls his jersey up to wipe the sweat off his face.

Such a shot is commonplace for the senior guard, who was recently named a first-team All-American. But this particular instance didn’t take place over the 2023-24 season. In fact, it didn’t even happen during Davis’ four year tenure at UNC.

No, this shot took place during the 2018 CHSAA AA championship game between Davis' alma mater Archbishop Stepinac and Christ the King. It was an all-star lineup. The Stepinac squad was headlined by the Griffin brothers, Alan and AJ. Both went on to have successful college careers, and AJ is currently playing in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks. CTK, on the other hand, had multiple seven-footers, with the likes of Kofi Cockburn and Moussa Cisse in the backcourt. It’s safe to say it was an anticipated matchup.

“It was actually a great game and it came down to the wire a lot, back and forth throughout the whole game,” Davis said. “They had a lot of talented players.” 

But there was one player, on each respective team, that was just a bit overlooked. For Stepinac, it was Davis. For CTK, it was Tyson Walker. The two guards grew up together playing basketball in New York City. Before they were opponents in high school, they were teammates — and friends — on the Brooklyn Renaissance AAU team. 

They learned to play the same tough style of NYC basketball, and despite both being only 6-feet tall, they excelled. But still, they were left unnoticed. 

At the end of the day, it was Davis and the Crusaders that won that CHSAA championship game, edging out CTK 74-65 to advance on to the state playoffs. They won those too, going all the way to earn Stepinac its first state championship since 1960. And Davis, who was a big part of that run, finally started to gain some traction. He was scouted by Roy Williams and Hubert Davis, and offered a spot at UNC. The rest is history.

Walker’s path was less straightforward. Despite putting in consistent minutes for CTK and leading them to a 22-5 record in his senior season as captain, he still wasn't getting offered. So he opted to play a fifth year at a prep academy, the New Hampton School, where he finally began to get noticed.

He got recruited by and signed with Northeastern, where he excelled for two years. Then, finally, his big break arrived. He entered the transfer portal, and Michigan State snatched him up. He had made it to the big leagues, where he belonged. Now, he averages over 18 points per game for the Spartans.

“[Walker] has a huge impact, because he gives so many guys confidence,” teammate A.J. Hoggard said. 

Both Walker and Davis are finally earning their flowers. They are playing at the top of their game, for two of the most storied programs in college basketball.

And, in a twist of fate or by mere happenstance, the two former teammates are poised to face each other once again — but this time on an even bigger stage. No. 1-seeded UNC is set to take on No. 9-seeded MSU on Saturday, in what will likely be a battle of the guards. 

The two are thinking about each other already. Walker has his eyes set on Davis’ steady mindset.

“He's aggressive, confident,” Walker said. “You can't take that away from somebody. Whether they miss [or not] they're coming right back at you again, so I think that is what he brings.”

Davis, meanwhile, is looking at Walker’s shotmaking ability. 

“[Walker is] a super electric player who’s able to get downhill, get to his spots [and is] really talented,” Davis said. “He does a good job of — he can also create for his own, he doesn’t have to rely on anyone else, and I think that’s what I’ve saw from him in high school, but also in college.” 

It will be tough, it will be physical and it will be a dogfight. After all, both players were raised in the same school of basketball. They have watched each other's game evolve, and learned from it. 

Just a few weeks ago, Walker sent Davis an Instagram direct message, letting him know he had been paying attention to his season. 

“He just actually congratulated me on my achievements and successes throughout this year,” Davis said. 

But when the two meet on the court on Saturday, those achievements and successes will just be fuel for the under-recruited Walker, who has — more than ever — something to prove.

“Yeah, he got a chip,” Hoggard said. “He got a big chip on his shoulder. Tomorrow, we're going to see.”

He wants payback for that championship loss.

Davis isn’t too worried, though. After all, he knows Walker well, and he’s not the only one with something left to prove. 

“I feel like he played with that his whole life, just the chip on his shoulder,” Davis said. “And he’s a really good player, and I’m expecting it to come out for him tomorrow, but at the same time [it’s going to come out] for me as well.” 

@peacegwen 

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com

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