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Baron Walter Louis Davis, born on April 13, 1979, is a retired American professional basketball player who now serves as a studio analyst for the NBA on TNT. He earned accolades as a two-time NBA All-Star, was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2004, and led the NBA in steals twice.
Raised in Los Angeles’ South Central neighborhood, Davis was deeply influenced by his grandfather, who encouraged him to pursue basketball. This guidance led him to attend the prestigious Crossroads School in Santa Monica, a pivotal move in his early life.
Davis vividly remembers the moment his passion for basketball was ignited—when his grandfather presented him with a homemade basketball court at three years old. This gift sparked a lifelong commitment to the sport, with Davis dedicating countless hours to improving his game. Despite challenges, such as adjusting the hoop height for practice and dealing with a court that tended to sink because it was built on dirt, basketball remained his steadfast focus. It provided not only a sense of stability through life’s ups and downs but also opportunities that shaped his future, including a scholarship to a private school that broadened his worldview.
During his senior year at Crossroads, Davis’s exceptional talent led his team to victory at the Beach Ball Classic tournament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He outplayed teams from top-tier prep schools, securing MVP and All-Tournament honors. His outstanding performance throughout the year earned him the titles of Gatorade National Player of the Year and Parade All-American. He also showcased his skills alongside future NBA stars like Elton Brand, Shane Battier, Larry Hughes, and Ron Artest in the 1997 McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball Game. Davis’s high school career set the stage for his future success in the NBA, highlighting his remarkable journey from a young boy inspired by his grandfather’s backyard court to a celebrated professional athlete.
After an intense recruitment period that involved prestigious programs such as Kansas, Georgia Tech, Duke, and UCLA vying for his commitment, Davis chose UCLA, allowing him to stay close to family and friends. He joined UCLA in 1997 and quickly made a name for himself. In 1998, Davis earned the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year title and was recognized as a third-team All-American during his sophomore year in 1999.
During his tenure at UCLA, he had an average of 13.6 points and 5.1 assists per game. His freshman year was marred by a severe knee injury during an NCAA Tournament game, where he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while landing from a dunk. Remarkably, Davis bounced back in the following season, recovering most of his pre-injury athleticism and performance levels, which led him to declare for the 1999 NBA draft after just two years in college.
Selected third overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1999 NBA draft, Davis made an impactful debut in a victory over the Orlando Magic, contributing nine points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. He played a supporting role for Eddie Jones and David Wesley in his first year. The Hornets were eliminated in the first playoff round by the 76ers.
However, Davis’s career trajectory ascended in his second year, with significant improvements in his statistical averages and becoming a starter for all 82 season games. Under his leadership, the Hornets made a strong playoff run, defeating the Miami Heat in the first round but eventually falling to the Milwaukee Bucks in a seven-game series in the second round. A memorable highlight of Davis’s career came during this period when he scored the longest shot in NBA history at the Bradley Center on Feb. 17, 2001—an 89-foot throw right before the third quarter ended against the Bucks. Davis also showcased his talents during the All-Star weekend by participating in the Slam Dunk Contest and the Rising Stars Challenge.
In the subsequent season, he continued to impress, starting in every game and improving his averages to 18 points and 8.5 assists per game. His performance earned him a spot in the 2002 NBA All-Star Game as an injury replacement for Vince Carter, marking another milestone in his growing career.
In 2002, the Charlotte Hornets made the move to New Orleans, marking a new chapter as the New Orleans Hornets. During their debut season in the new city, Baron Davis faced a series of injuries, restricting his play to just 50 games. Despite these challenges, Davis led the Hornets to the playoffs, where they were ultimately defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers, spearheaded by Allen Iverson, who later acknowledged Davis as one of his toughest defensive matchups.
The subsequent season was similarly marred by injuries for Davis, who managed to participate in only 67 games. Nevertheless, his performance was outstanding enough to lead the league in steals per game, secure his second All-Star nomination, achieve an All-NBA third-team selection, and win the Skills Challenge at the All-Star Weekend.
On Feb. 24, 2005, amidst tensions with the Hornets’ coaching staff and ongoing injury issues, Davis was traded to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for guard Speedy Claxton and forward Dale Davis. This transfer not only paired him with star guard Jason Richardson to form a dynamic backcourt duo but also fulfilled Davis’s longstanding desire to return to California, reminiscing about his days at UCLA.
Under the guidance of coach Mike Montgomery, the Warriors didn’t quite meet expectations in the following two seasons. However, the 2006–07 season brought change with the return of coach Don Nelson, whose offensive system aligned well with Davis’s fast-paced playing style. Despite battling knee problems and undergoing surgery, he was instrumental in leading the Warriors to their first playoff berth since 1994. The team’s remarkable regular-season performance against the Dallas Mavericks, culminating in a historic playoff victory, marked them as the first No. 8 seed to overcome a No. 1 seed in a seven-game series first round, an achievement lauded as one of the biggest upsets in NBA playoff history.
Davis’s playoff heroics, described by Steve Kerr as “outrageous, stunningly athletic, creative, and explosive,” included spectacular layups, a memorable half-court buzzer-beater, and an iconic dunk over Andrei Kirilenko. Although the Warriors were eventually ousted by the Utah Jazz, Davis’s playoff averages—a testament to his skill and determination—stood at 25.3 points, 6.5 assists, 2.9 steals, and 4.5 rebounds per game.
He also played in the NBA for the Los Angeles Clippers (2008–2011), Cleveland Cavaliers (2011), New York Knicks (2011–2012), and Delaware 87ers (2016). Davis holds the NBA’s career playoff record for steals per game with an average of 2.28 over 50 games
Reflecting on his career trajectory in a Business Insider interview, he shared a candid perspective: “I didn’t have the career I thought I would have. Once I turned pro, injuries were a constant battle for me, and basketball being my sole passion, I often played through those injuries. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to compete for a championship.”
Since 2017, Davis has been a fixture on NBA on TNT’s “Players Only” broadcasts, a unique segment that features exclusively former NBA players as studio analysts, play-by-play announcers, and color commentators for games. This role has allowed him to stay connected to the game he loves, offering insights from a player’s perspective.
In addition to his sports-related endeavors, Davis has demonstrated a keen interest in the business world. Since launching his first venture in 2012, he has founded or invested in over 40 businesses. His entrepreneurial spirit underscores a commitment to not only achieving personal success but also fostering economic growth and creating wealth that lasts for generations. His business acumen and ventures have been highlighted by Billionaire Africa, showcasing his significant impact beyond the basketball court.
- Baron Davis Enterprises
Founded in 2012, Baron Davis Enterprises operates as the investment and asset management hub for Davis. It specializes in a wide array of industries, including technology, media, and entertainment. The enterprise plays a pivotal role in managing Davis’s interests across numerous companies he has established, showcasing his diverse investment portfolio and entrepreneurial spirit.
- No Label
In 2017, Davis founded No Label Productions. With the partnership of industry experts Bryan Smiley, formerly of Fox Digital and New Regency, and Zennen Clifton, with experience at Yahoo and WME, No Label Productions focuses on crafting music and urban-themed films for both linear and digital mediums, targeting a younger demographic.
The inspiration behind the name “No Label” stems from the company’s ambition to highlight its pursuit of varied content and its adaptability, as explained by Davis.
- SLIC Studios
In 2012, Davis founded SLiC (Sports Lifestyle in Culture), a pioneering digital platform that delves into Sports, Lifestyle, and Culture. He conceives SLiC as a comprehensive entity that merges the functionalities of a platform, production studio, community center, publisher, and streaming service, thereby facilitating a seamless connection between enthusiasts and creators.
An early venture initiated by Davis within SLiC is SLiC Images, designed to redefine the realm of photography through a decentralized platform. It serves as a file storage solution and a licensing system that caters to both professional and amateur photographers. Davis articulates the mission of SLiC Images, stressing the importance of capturing moments that convey profound narratives. “If a picture says 1,000 words, we want to capture history now because in the realms of blockchain and Web3, those narratives have the potential to endure for millennia,” he states. Through this venture, Davis discusses SLiC’s objectives, the prospective use of social and utility tokens by athletes in the future, and the undiminished enthusiasm for Web3 among NBA players, despite the challenges posed by a bear market and critical media coverage.
- The Black Santa Company
In 2016, Davis founded the Black Santa Company, an initiative aimed at celebrating African American narratives and icons. The company offers a variety of products, including shirts, beanies, onesies, and Christmas ornaments, among others. This venture was inspired by an experience Davis had in 2012, four years prior to the company’s establishment, when he reluctantly dressed as Santa Claus for a Halloween party.
Reflecting on the event, Davis shared, “I remember I didn’t want to go to the party because I didn’t want to be Santa Claus. But the entire evening transformed into something magical. People would sit on my lap, making whimsical requests like a new Ferrari or another Lakers championship.” This experience motivated the former NBA star to trademark Black Santa and create the Black Santa Company. The brand focuses on merchandise featuring a Black Santa character, inspired by Davis but not directly portraying him.
Davis elaborated on the significance of this venture, “I mentioned to my business partner, ‘Imagine the positive impact of introducing a Black Santa to the African-American community.’” He highlighted a personal connection, noting, “My mother, her friends, and my grandmother always looked for figurines that represented us. They wanted us to grow up with a strong sense of self-worth.” Through the Black Santa Company, Davis seeks to offer representation and inspire a sense of pride and belonging in the African-American community.
- Business Inside the Game
In 2017, Baron Davis launched Business Inside the Game (BIG), a members-only platform dedicated to fostering networking and thought leadership among its community. BIG provides its members with exclusive access to a variety of opportunities, including a pipeline of investment options as well as the chance to connect with professionals sharing similar interests. The platform positions itself as a cultural catalyst for innovation in sports, media, and technology. Embracing a modern approach to business, BIG facilitates a unique environment where athletes, multi-hyphenate individuals, founders, investors, and executives come together, sharing insights and opportunities across the table.
- Wealthflix
In 2023, Davis partnered with WealthFlix, an innovative subscription-based online platform designed to bolster young entrepreneurs by granting them exclusive access to a wealth of business education materials. WealthFlix features include in-depth celebrity interviews, on-demand playback functionality, and networking possibilities, all aimed at educating the younger demographic on wealth generation. The platform aspires to combine the inspirational aspects of TED Talks with the instructional value of Masterclass, allowing subscribers to engage with the content at their leisure.
WealthFlix represents a collaborative venture between the Italian venture capital firm United Ventures and Future Media, based in Irvine, California. Future Media was co-founded by Duquan Brown, a seasoned talent manager, and Chase Wimberly, an expert in investment and mergers and acquisitions. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to providing the next generation with the tools and knowledge necessary for financial success and innovation.
- The UWish Company
Davis is the founder of The UWish Company, a multimedia studio dedicated to bringing untold multicultural stories to life for children. Through a variety of mediums, including original content, products, and immersive experiences, UWish features characters that reflect the diversity of our society. The studio’s mission is to honor the rich tapestry of cultures in today’s global community by creating and sharing intellectual property, NFTs, animations, merchandise, literature, music, and more.
In addition to its focus on storytelling, UWish operates an academy aimed at nurturing young athletes. This program is designed to help participants realize their potential, hone their skills, and excel not just in sports but in life as a whole, embodying the spirit of champions.
- House of Wise
In 2021, Davis announced his investment in House of Wise, a brand specializing in CBD supplements aimed at enhancing women’s health and wellness. Davis was drawn to the company for several reasons: the effectiveness and taste of the CBD products, the creation of a genuine community through a modern take on the Tupperware sales model, and the company’s focus on female empowerment.
Davis’s interest in House of Wise was sparked during a Clubhouse session he hosted alongside Kat Cole, a figure he greatly respects. Cole highlighted House of Wise as a prime example of a company she invests in, praising its outstanding product and customer service, as well as the significant rate of customer retention. These aspects, she noted, are crucial for evaluating the potential of early-stage ventures.
Expressing his aspirations for his investments, Davis shared, “I hope for tremendous success, high-demand products, enjoyment in the process, and a significant return for all of the teams I invest in.” He commended Amanda, the founder of House of Wise, describing her as “real, raw, smart, and driven,” and confidently stated his belief in her ability to lead the company to great achievements.
- Kiddiekredit
Davis, in collaboration with basketball icon Dwyane Wade, secured $1.4 million in funding for Kiddie Kredit, a pioneering app that educates children on credit principles through the completion of chores. This investment is set to bolster the growth of the financial literacy application and teach children both in the United States and around the world about the critical role of credit.
- Polywork
In 2023, Davis made an investment in Polywork, a revolutionary professional network tailored for multi-hyphenates who break away from the conventional 9-5 by engaging in multiple pursuits. Polywork is redefining the landscape of online professional networking by providing a platform where professionals can fully showcase their diverse identities and connect, learn, and collaborate with others who share similar interests.
To date, Polywork has successfully raised $44.5 million, with notable backers including Andreessen Horowitz, Bungalow Capital, Caffeinated Capital, Elad Gil, Goldcrest Capital, Worklife VC, and founders from high-profile companies such as Behance, Twitch, YouTube, Clubhouse, Divvy Homes, Instacart, Instagram, Stripe, Reddit, Minted, and Product Hunt.
Davis participated in the platform’s Series B funding round, which raised $28 million. This round saw contributions from a distinguished group of investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Bungalow Capital, Daniel Gross, Elad Gil, Fidji Simo, Maverick Carter, and founders of companies like Stripe, Lyft, Clubhouse, Instacart, Lattice, Minted, and Divvy Homes, showcasing the wide-ranging support for Polywork’s innovative approach to professional networking.
- CommunityX
In 2021, Davis made an investment in COMMUNITYx, an app dedicated to social justice. COMMUNITYx aims to connect individuals with causes that matter, enabling meaningful change through engaging and actionable content. It serves as a hub for activists to unite and mobilize around issues ranging from climate change to racial justice. The app features tools for organizing virtual protests, simplifying petition signing with a single click, and coordinating events—all while ensuring users avoid the pitfalls of algorithmic bias, shadow banning, and the silencing of marginalized voices.
- Zurp
In 2023, Davis participated in the pre-seed funding round for Zurp, contributing to a total raise of $5 million alongside notable investors including New Form, MAGIC Fund, Launchpad VC, OVO Fund, Darling Ventures, and Animal Capital. The investment round also attracted strategic investors such as Scott Belsky, Siqi Chen, Kendrick Nguyen, Michael Brandt, David Weisburd, Amy Wu, Julia Lipton, Baron Davis, Dhani Jones, Nik Sharma, Joshua Cohen, Bobby Goodlatte, Craig Clemens, Lenny Rachitsky, Niklas Jansen, and Dan Becker.
Zurp, founded in 2022 by experienced entrepreneurs Troy Osinoff, Michael Lisovetsky, and Ashish Pandhi, is poised to revolutionize financial platforms with its unique rewards program. This program is designed to foster exclusive experiences with a diverse range of influencers. The core idea of Zurp is to offer consumers a way to support their favorite creators or causes seamlessly without altering their everyday spending habits. Simultaneously, it provides creators with a novel approach to rewarding and engaging with their fans, thereby generating recurring revenue without imposing extra financial burdens on the supporters. Zurp aims to establish a new, symbiotic relationship between fans and influencers, benefiting both parties personally and financially.
- Moon Ultra
In 2022, Baron Davis contributed to Moon Ultra’s $15 million Series B funding round. Moon Ultra, established in 2017 by Edward Madongorere and Dishen ‘Dixon’ Yang, has distinguished itself as an award-winning consumer technology brand. Known for its innovative approach to design and functionality, Moon Ultra provides both content creators and consumers with a professional-grade lighting solution for mobile devices, easily accessible with just a touch. The brand, recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the Best Inventions of 2020, champions storytelling, inclusivity, and the creation of products that cast a positive light on the world—all at an accessible price point. Moon Ultra’s investor base reflects a broad spectrum of global talent spanning the music, sports, entertainment, and technology sectors.
Other Investments
Baron Davis has a rich and eclectic range of investments. They include East Asian Super League, Metagood, Pogo, WNBA Enterprises, Wilder World, Career Karma, Forethought, Darkstore, Swan Bitcoin, Fireside, Tracklib, Sleeper, Grow Credit, HoneyBee, Wolf Spring, Lolli, Breakr, Popshop Live, Givingli, Bevy, Automotus, Goalsetter, Metropolis, Uplifting Results Labs, Encantos, Betty Labs, Kitu Super Coffee, UNest.
