ABU DHABI: Former NBA All-Star Baron Davis believes the future of basketball in Abu Dhabi is promising as the emirate continues to invest in youth development and grassroots participation.
Speaking to Arab News during the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Abu Dhabi League Finals, Davis praised the growth of the game in the UAE following the conclusion of the competition’s fifth season.
The former Golden State Warriors star was in Abu Dhabi as the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Abu Dhabi League concluded, bringing together more than 2,500 boys and girls from 68 schools across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Featuring 170 teams across six leagues, the competition marked a 39 percent increase in participation compared with last year.
“I think the future of Abu Dhabi is bright,” Davis told Arab News. “The fact that they’re investing and nurturing talent is very important because you’re developing youth talent through sports, which gives them a certain type of confidence to go out in the world and be successful.”
Throughout the interview, Davis repeatedly returned to the themes of leadership, teamwork and confidence, qualities he believes are essential both on and off the court.
Asked what advice he would offer young players hoping to become leaders, the former point guard spoke of the values that shaped his own career.
“Follow what’s right. Do what’s right. Work hard. Trust your leadership,” he said. “And also, be respectful. All the disciplines of basketball will lead you to be the right leader that you want to be.”
Leadership was a hallmark of Davis’ NBA career.
A two-time NBA All-Star, he is perhaps best remembered for leading the famed “We Believe” Golden State Warriors team that shocked the basketball world by eliminating the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2007 NBA Playoffs.
Looking back on that historic run, Davis said success was built on trust and collective belief.
“It was really about chemistry,” he said. “It was believing in your teammates, believing in their ability and what they could do. As a collective, if somebody wasn’t good at something, we would hide it. That’s the beauty of being on a team where everybody is on the same page.”
While modern basketball often focuses on scoring and offensive highlights, Davis believes defense remains one of the most important ingredients for success.
“Defense wins championships,” he said. “The best players in the world are defensive players. The greatest players ever played prided themselves on defense. The guys who won, it was defense.”
Davis also encouraged young athletes to embrace pressure rather than fear it.
Asked what advice he would give young players about believing in themselves when big moments arrive, Davis stressed the importance of confidence and preparation.
“You just have to be ready. You have to have confidence,” he said. “And it’s fun. At the end of the day, it’s not a lot of pressure. It’s just a game. Whether you make the shot or miss the shot, the fact that you’re willing to take it is the biggest thing.”
Davis also shared his thoughts on newly crowned NBA champion and Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, who helped lead the New York Knicks to their first championship in 53 years.
“He’s so good, but the way that they play just goes back to having a great team and being the leader of a great team,” Davis said. “And then with Jalen Brunson, his role is to score and put pressure on people.”
As another season of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Abu Dhabi League comes to a close, Davis believes the lessons learned through basketball can have a lasting impact far beyond the court.
For him, the continued growth of the game in Abu Dhabi is ultimately about giving young people opportunities to develop confidence, leadership skills and a belief in their own potential.
