After hearing her name called in last week’s WNBA Draft, Kaitlyn Davis saw her world move very fast. Picked in the third round by the New York Liberty, Davis is headed to Mexico to begin her professional career instead of preparing for training camp. The plan is for her to get exposure to pro basketball, gain skills, and then come to New York in early 2025 to begin working with the Liberty’s staff.
Davis, who played at the University of Southern California this year as a graduate student, earned her bachelor’s degree at Columbia University, playing three seasons (the Ivy League sat out the 2020-21 season) and earning First-Team All Ivy honors senior year. She and best friend, Abbey Hsu, who is graduating this spring, are the first-ever WNBA Draft picks from Columbia.
“It was a crazy moment that I’m super-grateful for,” said Davis, who watched the draft with friends. “My next journey is quickly upon me.”
She said “I told you so” to people who don’t hold ballers from the Ivy League in high regard. “I knew we were hoopers,” Davis said. “For me, as a player that’s coming from the Ivy League, it’s definitely encouraging and validating to see the respect that we’ve gotten this year.”
Davis will finish her master’s degree in entrepreneurship and innovation remotely. An early goal for pro hoops is to become more confident with her shot. Having adjusted extremely well in her transition from Columbia to USC, she is used to adapting to a new team. “I’m obviously putting an emphasis on being shot-ready,” Davis said.
Growing up in Connecticut, Davis went to both Liberty and Connecticut Sun games as well as those of the University of Connecticut. She named Breanna Stewart as a player who has had an impact on her. “I hope to be able to play with her,” she said.
Davis also offered words of admiration for both her coach at Columbia, Megan Griffith, and her coach at USC this past season, Lindsay Gottlieb.
Gottlieb has given her players a spotlight, including some who might not be obvious to attract it. She is also willing to help her players be pro ready and have opportunities.
Griffith taught her how to consistently work toward a long-term goal despite possible setbacks.
“Coach G has been transformational in my life,” Davis said of Griffith. “It was a lot of life skills we were taught at Columbia. On the court, she’s a phenomenal coach.”