“Sometimes you leave the game, but the game never leaves you.”

Those words were uttered last week by Fayetteville resident Kelvin Davis, a 46 year old man who has always dreamt of playing professional basketball and may get his chance this fall.

Davis, a point guard, played basketball in high school, junior college and college. He transferred to Alabama State University in his junior year and the team went 27-1. At the end of his college career, he tried out for a CBA team but did not pursue this opportunity. He was never far from a basketball court though and continued to play in as many games as he could. Davis went on to work as a contractor and also established a church, Total Faith Ministries, where he serves as a pastor. Two years ago, Davis and his family moved to Fayetteville.

“The atmosphere of Georgia brought my family here,” Davis said. “My brother lives here and Fayette County has great schools and a lot of good opportunities here. It’s really worked out for us.”

Several months ago, while attending an Atlanta Hawks game, Davis struck up a conversation with a rather tall gentleman. He asked the man if he played basketball and it turned out that he was Quentin Townsend, owner the Atlanta Vision, an ABA basketball team. The two talked basketball for awhile and Davis told him that he always wanted to play pro ball. Townsend gave him a card and told him to come and tryout for the team.

Davis worked out with the team recently and scored 12 points and pulled in seven rebounds in two 10 minute quarters. Later that week, he worked out in front of the owners and got positive reviews on his game.

“They told me that I over-exceeded their expectations,” Davis said, adding that they were highly impressed by his workout.

The official tryouts are in August and Davis will be training as much as possible in the weeks leading up to the tryouts. In addition to finding as many pick-up games as possible while working out at Hoops and Fitness in Jonesboro, he is also working with a personal trainer, Howard Mullins, a former Army Ranger. At the tryout, the team will be looking at his long jump, vertical leap, wingspan, reach, the ability to bench press 185 pounds, his court awareness, defensive ability and his ability to run. The owners told him that he should start running five miles a day.

Davis is understandably excited at being granted this opportunity and he is working hard to make the most of it. His family is very supportive of his quest and Davis can often be found on the court in his driveway with his sons, Preston and “KJ,” both of whom have hoop dreams of their own. The are getting a first hand lesson in never giving up on your dreams and working hard when you are given an opportunity.

“Whatever you endeavor to do in life, God will open a door,” Davis said. “Who would’ve thought that at 46 I’d be given a chance like this. It’s the kind of story movies are made out of.”

Davis still has a long way to go, namely through what will likely be a brutally hot summer filled with intense workouts and training. August can’t come soon enough for Davis, who is looking forward to showcasing the basketball abilities that haven’t left him since he first picked up a ball over 30 years ago.

login to post comments