2017 Introduction: Brad Davison
Back in the 2014 recruiting cycle, Stanford basketball signed a touted basketball prospect out of the state of Minnesota (and the Howard Pulley AAU program) who also happened to be a top high school quarterback. Three years later, and the Cardinal might pull off a similar recruiting feat.
Like Reid Travis a few years ago, Brad Davison is a multi-sport Minnesota native who has received college attention for both football and basketball. And as was the case for Travis, Stanford is involved in Davison's recruitment.
"I started hearing from Stanford when Coach Schrage and Coach Dawkins were there," Davison said. "That's who I talked to the most. I think that was sophomore year. Once Coach Cohen and Coach Pruitt and Coach Haase came, I knew Coach Cohen from Vanderbilt, so when he came I was in contact with him pretty quickly. My relationship with Coach Pruitt and Coach Haase has grown over time sine they've been there."
"(Stanford's message to me is that) they like the way I play and they think I would fit really well in their style and what they're trying to bring to Stanford."
Davison has yet to take a trip to Stanford; that could change if his recruitment continues to progress with the Cardinal, however.
The three-star standout is aware of the university's reputation.
"The school has a great tradition," Davison said. "Most importantly it has a really good balance of academics and basketball. I think that's really awesome about the university, how good the academics are. I think the coaches are going to do a great job there and get the program back on top."
Davison holds offers from the likes of Wisconsin, Nebraska, Yale and Harvard, among many others. A sensational performance last weekend at the Nike EYBL has only served to raise his recruiting profile.
Stanford, Wisconsin, Cal, Duke, Princeton and Butler are among the programs that have been in touch this week.
"It's been pretty busy," Davison said. "But I'm just trying to enjoy it - it's been a lot of fun. I'm just kind of going with it."
Davison listed Stanford, Wisconsin, Davidson, Dayton, Harvard, UNI and Yale as the programs he hears the most from.
The Maple Grove High School standout doesn't currently have any college trips planned.
"I also play football in the summer, so my schedule gets really busy with high school football," Davison said. "And my sister is actually getting married on June 18, so that takes a big block of time there for visits. But I don't have any visits planned, so I'm not really sure what visits I'll be taking yet."
Davison will consider a number of factors as he continues to navigate the recruiting process.
"First of all is the academics, the balance between academics and basketball," Davison said. "And then basketball-wise, I think my relationship with the coaches that are there and how I fit into the system that they play and how I fit in with the players that they recruit and the players they have there."
Football will not factor into his choice. Though Davison has received interest for his abilities on the gridiron, he recently determined he will solely go the basketball route in college.
Football has, however, proved beneficial to Davison's basketball career.
"I think it benefited me (a great deal)," Davison said. "I think (it's helped) with the intangible things like leadership and learning how to interact with your teammates, because everyone is different - you have to learn different ways to lead each one of your teammates. So I think that helped a lot. With the physical aspect, lifting and getting bigger and stronger and faster, and also the vision at quarterback and point guard really go over to both sports."