We sit down with Davenport signee Devon Ivy of Ottawa Hills.

Upon doing our constant research we ran across the news the Ottawa Hills guard Devon Ivy signed to attend and play basketball at Davenport University. The senior guard struggled through his senior year after an injury suffered during football that may have cost him an opportunity to head to a bigger school. Devon seems fine with that and looks to have found a great fit with the Panthers. Tonight, Ivy and his Bengals of Ottawa Hills take on East Kentwood in a District Final. Ottawa Hills is here as somewhat of a surprise after their slow start, but they are firing on all cylinders right now and shocked us all in taking down GR Union on Wednesday.

When I asked Devon what it was like going through the injury to start the season he just told me that he was forced to miss 8 or 9 games early on and at that point many schools that appeared interested had fallen off the map. “Davenport worked with me through rehab and stuff so, they kept telling me how much they really wanted me so that’s one of the main reasons I decided to go there.” Ivy also had interest from schools for football as well as basketball but once the ankle injury happened the football offers went away and it was time to focus on the hardwood.

Ivy leads the Bengals into a postseason run.

Ivy had been talking with many local schools including Grand Valley, Ferris, Cornerstone, Aquinas and Davenport. Ivy wasn’t shaken by the injury and the lack of interest from schools following the hiccup; it just made his decision that much easier. “It just showed me who was really interested in me, it was like those other schools were interested in me for a period of time but Davenport was there all along.”

Ottawa Hills had high expectations this year and the injury to Ivy hurt them early on, “they had to fill my position, so that changed a lot of things. But then I came back and we started slow, but now we got that chemistry back and we got the ball rolling.” Once the early season goals fell by the wayside it was time to knock others in the Gold off their perch and make a run with the 2^nd season. “now we just gotta win this District and make our way to the Bres.” You have to admit the kid trusts his personal and teams talent moving forward.

I asked Devon for some advice for fellow students and athletes that may suffer through the same time of situation. “I’d just say man go to the school that wants you more. Who’s willing to go through more for you ya know.” It was great talking with Devon and it’s going to be exciting to see what he can do moving forward. Davenport is getting a great player and an even better kid, WMA is thrilled to have the chance to keep a close eye on Devon and his career moving forward.