Seminole Shines in Native Elite Showcase

By Chris Jenkins

MACY, NE — Jerome Davis is one of the few and proud. Not of the Marine kind, but the basketball kind, and on July 27-28 he showed why. As one of 24 young men and 20 female high school basketballers selected from across the U.S., he was a part of the Second Annual 2007 Native Elite Sports (NES) Showcase.

The invitation only event brings the best college hoop hopefuls together for fun, recognition and competition. It also became a part of history in its first year as a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) certified Division-IA sponsored activity for Native American athletes.

The 19-year-old Fort Pierce native says it was all a surprise to him.

“I’m excited, but it was last minute,” Davis said.

He was told of his invite after the game by an NES scout.

“It gave me a boost,” he continued. “I was down because we lost our game [in the Native American Basketball Invitational], but it brought me up.”

According to Shantel Webster, NES director of basketball operations, the selection process involves a combination of research and criteria. Having a 3.0 GPA — with occasional exceptions made — outstanding game accomplishments, or receiving All-State honors are all part of the equation. Recruiters, contacts and coaches also determined those chosen.

She said the event was another avenue to bring much needed exposure to Native communities, calling it “another way to get kids excited about going to college.”

NES, Inc., President Barry Webster is the founder and says one of the themes of the showcase is “Empowerment.” He said the event has gained in popularity this year with mainly locals participating last year. As a standout guard in high school and college for the United Tribes Technical College, he understands the hard work and struggle both the young men and women face for recognition.

“If there were ever a niche or ever a time to carve out our own way it’s now,” he said.

Both days involved several activities including: round robin play, a three-point shooting contest, and slam dunk competition.

There were also several recognized at weekend’s end with honors including: National High School Coach of the Year, the Top 10 (first and second team) High School All-American Teams and the National High School Player of the Year. The University of Nebraska, Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kan., and Haskell Indian Nations University were also in attendance.

Nine of the 24 young men invited were also recipients of college scholarships or committed to colleges and universities.

After only six years of playing, Davis has come a long way.

“I was playing football at the time and just went and tried out for the middle school team (at American Heritage) and made it,” he said.

Davis was also honored as part of the inaugural Native American National All-American Team earning first team honors. He was joined by: Nathaniel Packineau of Parshall, N.D., Ephraim Sloan of St. Michaels, Ariz., Brady Fairbanks of Red Lake, Minn., and James Bible of Red Rock, Okla.

The Florida State University hopeful says he was surprised at his selection.

“I didn’t think I would get picked because my game has been kind of weak of late,” Davis said. “I’m glad I got picked, out of all of those involved.”