Honestly, if you search for "Dee Dee Davis," Google usually tries to show you the kid from The Bernie Mac Show. But if you're a hoops junkie or follow the MAAC, you know there’s another Dee Dee Davis who’s been quietly torching nets and breaking ankles for years.
She isn't just a "college player." She’s one of the most prolific scorers to ever come out of the Bronx.
Most people see a 5'8" guard and think "role player." Big mistake. Huge. Dee Dee Davis—specifically the one who just wrapped up a storied career at Manhattan College and Rhode Island—was a walking bucket who played with a chip on her shoulder the size of the Yankee Stadium.
Why Dee Dee Davis Basketball Still Matters in 2026
We’re sitting here in 2026, and the conversation around women’s mid-major basketball is finally starting to get the respect it deserves. Dee Dee is a huge part of that blueprint. She didn't need a Power 5 stage to prove she belonged.
Basically, she was the engine for Manhattan University (the Jaspers) for four years before taking her "COVID year" or graduate eligibility to the University of Rhode Island.
What really happened with her transition? A lot of people thought she’d struggle moving from the MAAC to the Atlantic 10. They were wrong. She stepped into the Rhody rotation and immediately proved that Bronx toughness travels. She ended her college career with over 1,800 points. That isn't just "good." That's elite.
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The Manhattan Legacy: More Than Just Points
If you look at the record books at Manhattan, her name is everywhere.
- The Triple-Double: She was the first Jasper since 1994 to record a triple-double. She put up 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists against LIU.
- The Siena Game: You can't talk about Dee Dee Davis basketball without mentioning the 37-point explosion against Siena. She had 28 in the first half. The rim looked like an ocean that night.
- Back-to-Back Finals: She led Manhattan to two straight MAAC Championship games.
She was a three-time All-MAAC selection and the 2022-23 Preseason Player of the Year. But stats only tell half the story. The way she played—aggressive, downhill, constantly hunting her shot—made her a nightmare to scout. Coaches would throw box-and-ones at her, and she’d still find a way to impact the game with her passing.
The "Other" Dee Davis: Don't Get It Twisted
Here is where it gets kinda confusing for casual fans. If you’re digging into "Dee Davis" history, you might stumble upon Deonna "Dee" Davis.
She was a legend too—a point guard at Vanderbilt who became the school's all-time assists leader (730 assists) and played in the WNBA for the Houston Comets.
Our Dee Dee (the Manhattan/URI star) is often confused with the Vandy legend because they share the name and the "point god" DNA. But the Bronx-born Dee Dee Davis is the modern icon of the NYC hoop scene. She grew up playing at Harry S. Truman High School, where she led all of NYC in scoring as a sophomore.
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The Coaching Pivot: Life After the Jersey
So, where is she now?
In a move that surprised absolutely nobody who watched her lead a huddle, Dee Dee Davis officially hung up the jersey to pick up the clipboard. As of late 2025 and heading into the 2026 season, she has returned to her "home" at Manhattan University as an Assistant Coach.
Coach Heather Vulin basically realized that you don't let a mind like that walk away.
It’s a smart move. Davis knows the MAAC better than anyone. She knows what it takes to recruit local NYC talent because she was that talent. Seeing her on the sidelines instead of the baseline is weird for some fans, but honestly, it’s the most natural progression in the world.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Game
There’s this misconception that Dee Dee was just a volume shooter.
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"She takes 20 shots a game, of course she scores."
If you actually watch the film, you’ll see she was one of the best rebounding guards in the country. At Manhattan, she averaged 7.5 boards a game during her senior year. For a 5'8" guard, that is insane. It's about heart. It's about tracking the ball.
She wasn't just waiting for the ball to come to her; she was dictating where the ball went. Whether it was the 13.9 career PPG or the nearly 5 rebounds per game, she was a complete player who stayed overlooked because she didn't play for UConn or South Carolina.
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Guards
If you're a young player looking at Dee Dee Davis as a blueprint, here is the reality of her success:
- Versatility is King: Don't just be a shooter. Dee Dee’s ability to grab 10 rebounds or dish 10 assists is what kept her on the floor when her shot wasn't falling.
- Loyalty Pays Off: She stayed at Manhattan for four years when the transfer portal was calling every single season. She built a legacy there that got her a job the second she graduated.
- The "Mid-Major" Chip: Use the lack of national media attention as fuel. Davis played every game like she had something to prove to the scouts who overlooked her in high school.
The story of Dee Dee Davis basketball isn't over; it’s just moving into the coaching ranks. If she recruits half as well as she scored, Manhattan is going to be a problem in the MAAC for a long time.
Keep an eye on the Jaspers' sidelines this season. The jersey is different, but the intensity is exactly the same.
Next Steps for Fans: To see the impact of her transition, watch the Manhattan University women's basketball box scores this season to see how the guard play evolves under her mentorship. You can also follow the Jaspers' official athletic site for updates on her coaching milestones.