Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Saying it "feels better to actually have something good to talk about," BYU center Brandon Davies spoke to the media after the Cougars' Marriott Center practice on Tuesday, his first public comments since an honor code-related suspension ended his 2010-11 season in the campaign's closing month.
You can hear Davies' entire interview session, and the post- practice comments of head coach Dave Rose, by clicking on their audio links in the "Cougar Cuts" box, to the left.
*******
Davies said it was his decision to meet with the media before the Cougars' season-opener at Utah State, with Rose adding that Davies "came up to me and said, 'Coach, I want to do this on Tuesday, and get ready for the game on Friday.'"
The junior center said the suspension, withdrawal from school and ensuing re-admission process "has definitely been hard, and it's been hard on a lot of people, not just myself; I'm just lucky to be surrounded with people that love me and a great team, great family members and friends."
"I'm just happy to be back; it doesn't matter what I had to go through to get here, I'm just glad to be here back with my teammates, and back here where I'm supported and loved by so many."
Asked if he felt he was treated fairly by BYU, Davies said "I was definitely treated more than fair; just to be able to make it back here and be able to be a part of this team again is a blessing to me."
*******
After helping BYU to a 27-2 record prior to his suspension, Davies sat on the sidelines as the Cougars went 5-3 without their starting center; BYU's record- setting season then ended in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. "It hurt," said Davies. "Not just me, but everyone around me. It's definitely something I'll never forget about and something I never want to do again, so I just use that to drive me in all that I do today."
*******
Davies says the public reaction he has received has been "mostly positive. It's a great university; I've been surrounded by so many people who have supported me."
Reflecting on his public introduction after a season- ending home win over Wyoming (his first game on the BYU bench as a non-playing teammate), Davies said "it felt good; there were a lot of mixed emotions going on in my head at that point; not sure how people were going to react, and not sure how I was going to react, and I just think the overall situation was handled well."
Davies credited his teammates for their perseverance last season. "It has definitely strengthened us; it's a terrible thing that we all had to go through, and they were all willing to go through it with me and pull through together. I think that says a lot about their character and the way we are as a team."
*******
Davies affirms that the events of this past year have changed him for the better. "Honestly, I think I'm a totally different person, but that's up to other people to decide. I can't really tell someone that I've changed; it's up to me to show that. Hopefully I'm in the right direction and doing that the best I can."
Asked if the time spent working to return to BYU has helped him improve as a player, Davies said "it has definitely helped. Basketball is pretty much all I've got going for me right now. Just to be there to help my teammates in any way that I can is kind of driving me to become a better player and hopefully I can continue to do that for my teammates and myself."
*******
Davies addressed whether he anticipates particularly negative responses from crowds away from home in the coming season, and said "personally, I love playing on the road; I love the hostile environment."
"I don't know what's going to be said, but I'm ready for it. I'm pretty good at ignoring things like that. It doesn't matter; it's not going to affect me."
*******
Davies is aware that his story has affected many observers, inside and outside the game, and he anticipates having to answer questions in other venues as the season gets underway.
"It's still kind of tender, but I think that most media... they're going to be pretty respectful of the situation."
"I'm more than happy to shine my light on it, and kind of help others, if needed, but...I'm pretty sure everyone pretty much knows the story by now. It's coming to a close...but it's what I had to go through, and I'm willing to share that to help others not have to go through what I had to go through."
*******
In meeting the local media today, Davies took the latest step toward dimming the light on a difficult stage of his life; the coming season and seasons should feature Davies projecting a brighter image for all to see. It has been good to see Davies back in a BYU uniform; hearing him talk about it was equally gratifying.
*******
