The Louisville men’s basketball program is in the middle of one of the strangest sagas in college sports.
After one of the most disappointing seasons in program history last season, second-year head coach Kenny Payne was given another chance to revamp its roster during the offseason.
One of the scholarships available was given to 6-foot-7 junior college transfer Koron Davis.
The former Los Angeles Southwest Community College guard never actually played a game for Louisville, however, and his entire time with the program was shrouded in mystery.
While there is still plenty unraveling about this story, here is what we know so far:
Koron Davis never actually played for Louisville
Davis committed to Louisville in Jan. 2023 and it was reportedly “the first and only” offer that he shared on his social media accounts.
The guard, who also received no Division I offers after high school, only appeared on the court for Louisville during exhibition games. He had not joined the team on the bench since Nov. 10. When asked about his absence, Payne said the following (via SI.com):
“It was my decision not to have him come today. He’s not in any trouble. I will not address it right now; because this is about the guys who just played.”
Davis also did not take the trip to New York for the Empire Classic, and when Payne was asked about it, he once again said that the guard wasn’t in any trouble.
Kenny Payne reiterates that Koron Davis is not in trouble
Technically, (I think) Koron Davis is in the house tonight pic.twitter.com/Ts2EEmb5Wz
— State of Louisville (@thestateoflou) November 30, 2023
Despite his time away from the team, Davis was spotted in the crowd at the Yum! Center last month.
Payne was asked about Davis’ attendance at the game on Nov. 29 and (via The Courier-Journal):
“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 a part of this team right now.”
The operative words in that statement were seemingly “right now” as Davis’ tenure with the program did not last much longer than that.
Everything got very chaotic and hard to follow on Wednesday
I just finished my first semester academically at Louisville. 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. pic.twitter.com/pBPu4949GR
— Koron Davis (@KoronDavis) December 13, 2023
Davis posted a screenshot of his grades on Wednesday at 1:24 PM ET, which suggested that he is in good academic standing.
Then, a little more than an hour later at 2:47 PM ET, the school stated that Davis had “informed the program that he intends to transfer” from Louisville. They added that they wished him well in the future.
INBOX: "Louisville junior guard Koron Davis has informed the program that he intends to transfer. We support him and wish him well in the future.”
— Matt McGavic (@Matt_McGavic) December 13, 2023
Yet about an hour after the statement, at 3:58 PM ET, Davis refuted it on social media.
Davis said that he “didn’t express to anyone” that he intended to transfer and that he enjoyed being a Cardinal. He noted that this was “false information” and he found it both disheartening and sad.
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 (@KoronDavis) December 13, 2023
Louisville clarified that Davis was actually dismissed from the team
Within a few hours of Davis’ refuting the initial statement from Louisville, the program issued another statement.
This time, 90 minutes before tipoff, the university clarified that Davis was informed that he was dismissed from the men’s basketball team:
“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.”
No reason was given as to why Davis was dismissed from Louisville.
Davis once again showed up at the Yum! Center as the saga continued
Despite the news that he was dismissed from the program, Davis was sitting in the stands at the Yum! Center on Wednesday evening.
Louisville lost the game to Arkansas State, 75-63, and Davis was approached by multiple reporters. He said he could not speak about the subject, however, and had to wait.
After the game, Payne did not offer much clarification on what happened (via ESPN):
“It’s emotional for me because he’s a good kid. It’s one of those circumstances where we’ve already addressed it.”
Two players on the Louisville roster, Skyy Clark and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, both added that Davis is a “great” person.
We haven’t yet heard anything else from Davis but we should expect to learn more about the situation as it continues to unfold.
