JD Davison continued to improve each year he was in the Boston Celtics' infrastructure. Drafted at age 19, he blossomed into the G League MVP last season. In the process, the shy, quiet kid from Montgomery, Alabama, pushed himself out of his comfort zone to become a more vocal leader.
After rewriting the record books for the Celtics' G League affiliate in Maine, Davison had his contract converted from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract late in the season. However, Boston, needing to gain flexibility, waived him this summer.
The 23-year-old floor general known for his honeycomb hairdew quickly landed on his feet. He signed a two-way deal with the Houston Rockets. That reunited him with Ime Udoka, the Celtics' head coach when Davison got drafted in 2022.
At the Rockets training camp, Udoka recently praised what he has seen from the three-year veteran so far.
Ime Udoka on JD Davison, G League MVP:
— The Rockets Wire (@TheRocketsWire) October 4, 2025
“He’s been great. Very aggressive, handles well, makes good decisions out of the pick and roll. He’s a big body who can pick up full court, so he brings aggression on both sides of the ball.”
“He’s taken advantage of the opportunity.” pic.twitter.com/6vOOYFLqVY
"He's been great," Udoka told the local media. "Very aggressive, handles well, and makes good decisions out of the pick and roll. He's a big body who can pick up full court, so he brings aggression on both sides of the ball."
With Fred VanVleet suffering an ACL tear, Udoka also commended Davison because "he's taken advantage of the opportunity to get extra reps in."
Davison could help the Rockets address VanVleet's absence
Losing VanVleet, likely for the season, is a devastating blow to Houston's championship aspirations. Compounding the issue is that the Rockets lack primary ball handlers in the backcourt.
That could motivate them to strike a deal to acquire a more natural fit for that role than they currently have on their roster.
For now, much of that responsibility will be divided between Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard. Houston will also run much of its offense through Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun.
VanVleet's injury could also lead to Davison's two-way deal getting converted to a standard NBA contract for the second time in as many seasons.
He'll have to earn that during training camp and the preseason. However, his constant growth is reason not to bet against him proving up to the challenge. Udoka's recent praise of Davison signals that he's off to a good start in his attempt to go from dominating in the G League to proving himself against NBA competition. It's a chance for him to change his career trajectory and have the Rockets even more grateful they brought him aboard.