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By Arlie Rahn
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 26, 1996
When former Arizona forward Ben Davis signed a contract with the Phoenix Suns two days ago, his uphill climb began.Davis will attempt to make a team filled with forwards Robert Horry, Danny Manning, Chucky Brown, Mario Bennett, Mark Bryant and Wayman Tisdale when training camp opens Oct. 4.
"He has to convince us to eat one of those big-name NBA player's contracts," Suns assistant coach Donn Nelson said. "But one thing I've learned as a coach is not to bet against Ben Davis. He already has done a phenomenal job to get here."
Davis, who was selected in the second round of June's NBA draft, is already guaranteed half of his contract. Terms were not disclosed, but the NBA minimum is $210,000. He will get the other half of the contract if he makes the team. If he doesn't, he will likely spend a year in either Europe or the Continental Basketball Association, where he was the sixth overall selection by Grand Rapids, Mich.. He would then get two salaries: one from the Suns and one from his potential team.
"Since Europe starts earlier than the NBA and CBA, the jobs they have are beginning to dry up," Nelson said. "If he doesn't make this team, he will probably go to the CBA. This would be a very positive thing because the CBA is full of guys around 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-6. So Davis would learn to play against quicker, slasher-type players."
But Davis would still be close to his dream of the NBA even if he was in the CBA, because if the Suns have the flurry of injuries they have had in the past, Davis could be called up to Phoenix.
"We wouldn't hesitate to call up Davis if that situation were to arise," Nelson said. "In the first couple of weeks he's played, he's been a pleasure to be around and he picks up things very fast. You're going to see Ben Davis in the NBA, it's just a matt er of when."
Davis excelled in the two games he played in a Los Angeles summer league, recording a combined 19 points and 13 rebounds before having to sit out with a finger injury. Last season he averaged 12.5 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Wildcats.
"He has confidence in his ability," UA assistant basketball coach Phil Johnson said. "He has a lot of guys asking themselves how good he can become, but it might take some time for him to reach his potential."
Even with their current situation at the swing-man position, the Suns are still happy with their selection.
"When we drafted him, we really liked Ben Davis," Nelson said. "We thought he had the ability to go higher. Seeing the strides he's made since he got here, we're still excited to have him."
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