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By Jamaal Brewer
Former 76ers Jessica Davenport,
It’s hard to bring up City League girls basketball the past several years without bringing up the name of Independence alum Jessica
Davenport. From starting out practicing in her driveway as a preteen to now suiting up for the WNBA’s New York Liberty, Jessica
takes time out her busy schedule to talk columbuscityleague.com. She talks about her life experience playing basketball, the road
that helped her to stardom, and possibly helping young girls in the future with their dreams playing basketball.
Q: Ms. Davenport, you’re currently in France. What’s going on over there?
A: I’m in Challes, France about an hour from Lyon and I'm playing basketball for a French club called Challes Les Eaux
Q: You grew up on the eastside of Columbus, but you weren’t really into sports at first. When and what made you decide you
were interested in playing basketball?
A: After being hounded by a lot of people to try out for my middle school basketball team, I decided I would give it a try and I ended up
really enjoying myself.
Q: You’re an Independence alum; four year starter and led the 76ers to four straight city league south titles. What did you enjoy
and miss the most about high school basketball, and how did your coaches at Independence help develop your game?
A: What I miss most about high school basketball is the closeness you have with your teammates. Unlike college, the whole team is
in the same building and a lot of times in a lot of the same classes so it was fun to always be around good friends. The coaches in
high school helped me by developing my raw talent into something that made me a good player.
Q: Do you think Columbus City League athletics get a bad rep? There are perceptions out there that the league isn’t
fundamentally sound or discipline, and lack quality basketball. Do you think those perceptions are fair?
It’s hard to bring up City League girls basketball the past several years without bringing up the name of Independence alum Jessica
Davenport. From starting out practicing in her driveway as a preteen to now suiting up for the WNBA’s New York Liberty, Jessica
takes time out her busy schedule to talk columbuscityleague.com. She talks about her life experience playing basketball, the road
that helped her to stardom, and possibly helping young girls in the future with their dreams playing basketball.
Q: Ms. Davenport, you’re currently in France. What’s going on over there?
A: I’m in Challes, France about an hour from Lyon and I'm playing basketball for a French club called Challes Les Eaux
Q: You grew up on the eastside of Columbus, but you weren’t really into sports at first. When and what made you decide you
were interested in playing basketball?
A: After being hounded by a lot of people to try out for my middle school basketball team, I decided I would give it a try and I ended up
really enjoying myself.
Q: You’re an Independence alum; four year starter and led the 76ers to four straight city league south titles. What did you enjoy
and miss the most about high school basketball, and how did your coaches at Independence help develop your game?
A: What I miss most about high school basketball is the closeness you have with your teammates. Unlike college, the whole team is
in the same building and a lot of times in a lot of the same classes so it was fun to always be around good friends. The coaches in
high school helped me by developing my raw talent into something that made me a good player.
Q: Do you think Columbus City League athletics get a bad rep? There are perceptions out there that the league isn’t
fundamentally sound or discipline, and lack quality basketball. Do you think those perceptions are fair?
A: I do think that sometimes the city league gets a bad rep, but after the success of certain schools that has changed, and in a way put the city league on the map. As far as those
perceptions being fair, it's hard to say because a lot of kids in other districts have been playing "organized" basketball for years and in some cases with the same people. So that definitely
puts them a little ahead of others.
Q: After your senior season at Independence you were selected to the McDonald's All-American game. What was that experience like?
A: That experience was great. It was a time where I was able to play against the best high school girls players in the country. I think it is something that I appreciate more now because I am
out of college and have been able to follow all the girls and boys who were involved in that event and I’m able to see most of us complete our goal of playing pro ball and that is a great
feeling.
Q: You chose to go to Ohio State over numerous other basketball power houses. What made you want to be a buckeye?
A: Staying close to home and the coaching change helped a lot. I knew I would be able to grow as a person and a player there and I think I accomplished that.
Q: What was the most difficult transition from high school to college?
A: Time management. There is so much extra that goes on in college that you have to be able to manage your time and be able to get everything done. Your school work load and on the
court load are elevated 100% and that’s an adjustment you have to make.
Q: You were selected as the number 2 pick overall in the 2007 WNBA draft. Your team fell short to the Detroit Shock in the WNBA playoffs. What are your's and your team’s
expectations for the 2008 campaign?
A: To just be able to go out and play every game with no regrets. We will have everyone back next year and we just want to get better everyday.
Q: Finally, there are a lot of young girls who are interested in playing basketball. Do you have any plans on maybe starting a camp or educating inner city females who would like to
follow in your footsteps and play professional basketball as a living?
A: I would definitely like to have camps for young girls in the future. With me playing oversees and in New York it's hard for me to find that block of time to get that organized. But in the near
future I would love to do something to give back what has been given to me.
Jessica, again thanks for taking the time out of your schedule and giving us the opportunity to chat with you. Good luck in all you do and way to represent on behalf of all Columbus
City League alums.
-Jamaal Brewer-
perceptions being fair, it's hard to say because a lot of kids in other districts have been playing "organized" basketball for years and in some cases with the same people. So that definitely
puts them a little ahead of others.
Q: After your senior season at Independence you were selected to the McDonald's All-American game. What was that experience like?
A: That experience was great. It was a time where I was able to play against the best high school girls players in the country. I think it is something that I appreciate more now because I am
out of college and have been able to follow all the girls and boys who were involved in that event and I’m able to see most of us complete our goal of playing pro ball and that is a great
feeling.
Q: You chose to go to Ohio State over numerous other basketball power houses. What made you want to be a buckeye?
A: Staying close to home and the coaching change helped a lot. I knew I would be able to grow as a person and a player there and I think I accomplished that.
Q: What was the most difficult transition from high school to college?
A: Time management. There is so much extra that goes on in college that you have to be able to manage your time and be able to get everything done. Your school work load and on the
court load are elevated 100% and that’s an adjustment you have to make.
Q: You were selected as the number 2 pick overall in the 2007 WNBA draft. Your team fell short to the Detroit Shock in the WNBA playoffs. What are your's and your team’s
expectations for the 2008 campaign?
A: To just be able to go out and play every game with no regrets. We will have everyone back next year and we just want to get better everyday.
Q: Finally, there are a lot of young girls who are interested in playing basketball. Do you have any plans on maybe starting a camp or educating inner city females who would like to
follow in your footsteps and play professional basketball as a living?
A: I would definitely like to have camps for young girls in the future. With me playing oversees and in New York it's hard for me to find that block of time to get that organized. But in the near
future I would love to do something to give back what has been given to me.
Jessica, again thanks for taking the time out of your schedule and giving us the opportunity to chat with you. Good luck in all you do and way to represent on behalf of all Columbus
City League alums.
-Jamaal Brewer-