The curious case of Koron Davis is the weirdest story in college basketball at the moment. To make matters worse, the bizarre saga involves the Louisville Cardinals — a program that reached a new low on Wednesday night with a 12-point loss to Arkansas State.
Meanwhile, as the Cardinals fell to the Red Wolves, Davis sat in the crowd near the bench. He was also in attendance a few hours prior for the 18th-ranked women’s team’s dominant victory over Morehead State.
However, it is entirely unclear as to whether he is on the team. Let’s break it down!
Who is Koron Davis?
Davis was a JUCO addition out of Los Angeles Southwest. The junior guard did not even have a recruiting profile upon joining the Louisville men’s basketball program.
Nobody really knew who he was.
Davis played in the Red-White Scrimmage and one exhibition game vs. Simmons College during the preseason. He went 2-of-7 in total with a few rebounds and a few assists. Meh.
That was it. Davis never played again! He never recorded a single minute in the regular season.
What is going on?
As the Cardinals played without him, rumors started to swirl about his behavior. Louisville vehemently denied a scrap between Davis and head coach Kenny Payne during practice.
Whether true or not, the third-year transfer was not even on the bench moving forward. Davis even sat in the crowd, alone, during a win over Bellarmine on Nov. 29.
Payne brushed it off. The 57-year-old NBA champion and former Cardinals standout stood behind Davis at the time.
I have nothing to say about Koron Davis. Koron Davis is not in trouble. I didn’t know he was at the game, but if he was, that’s fine with me. He’s part of the team right now.
— Kenny Payne
That was then. This is now.
Louisville reversed course.
At 1:24 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Davis posted about his first semester in Kentucky. It was a very positive update that indicated his plans to support both the men’s and women’s team!
I’m extremely proud of myself. I challenged myself in the classroom and got it done. I’m enjoying the college experience being a true student-athlete. Where I come from a lot of people don’t get this opportunity. I want to say thank you to everyone at U of Louisville, Cards Nation and the city of Louisville for taking me in. Today I’ll be at YUM Center supporting our women’s team and my teammates at the doubleheader.
— Koron Davis via X, formerly known as Twitter
About an hour later, at 2:47 p.m. ET, Louisville announced that Davis was going to transfer. The official statement came directly from the university.
University of Louisville junior guard Koron Davis has informed the program that he intends to transfer. We support him and wish him well in the future.
— University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Update
Davis did not agree and posted a follow-up at 3:58 p.m. ET.
I didn’t express to anyone at U of Louisville that I wanted to transfer. I never asked to transfer. I enjoy being a Cardinal. The fact an official statement was released giving false information is disheartening and sad.
— Koron Davis via X, formerly known as Twitter
Not long thereafter, the lady Cardinals tipped off at the YUM! Center. Davis was there.
Multiple reporters went up to the player and asked for interviews. He was very polite, but declined.
Not right now. I have to wait.
— Koron Davis, via Eric Crawford
Davis remained in the stands as his (at the time) teammates warmed up for their game. And then, shortly before tipoff, Louisville released another statement.
Prior to the program issuing a statement this afternoon, Louisville junior guard Koron Davis was informed that he had been dismissed from the men’s basketball team. Davis has expressed that he intends to continue his college basketball career and would pursue opportunities at another institution. We wish him nothing but the best.
— University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Update
Payne spoke about the decision after taking the embarrassing loss to the Red Wolves.
It’s emotional for me because he’s a good kid. It’s one of those circumstances where we’ve already addressed it.
— Kenny Payne
Davis has been removed from the online roster.
Davis’ teammates had his back as they spoke about him in past-tense.
In the end, it sounds like Payne and the Cardinals were trying to protect Davis but Davis forced their hand. It will be interesting to see if anything further comes from the strange saga.