'All-Time' Does Not Happen All The Time

PORTLAND, Maine. - It can be difficult to remember JD Davison is still just 22 years old.  

After starring for one season at Alabama, Davison was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 53rd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft at the age of 19. Davison has been in the Celtics organization as a Two-Way Player ever since and has now become one of the all-time greats in Maine’s franchise history.  

2024-2025 marks Davison’s third year with Maine, an important one as the point guard pursues his dream of earning a standard NBA contract.  

“When I first got here this year, people started calling me a vet. I’m not a vet yet,” Davison said at the start of training camp. “I just want to come here and lead our guys and try to make sure everyone is happy, doing their job, and I can be the best that I can be.” 

Davison entered this season just 66 points behind Maine’s all-time scoring record of 1,591 points held by Chris Wright. It took the Celtics guard just three games to accomplish the feat, surpassing Wright’s record on November 15 against the Knicks in the Portland Expo.  Davison recently eclipsed 2,000 career points in a 40-point effort on January 5 against Birmingham.

“Just grateful for it honestly, it’s a great compliment," Davison said after the game. "You got to love the Expo crowd, they always come out to support." He has scored over 1800 points in his career and is among the G League’s top scorers this season.  

But that’s not the only record Davison has surpassed this season. He’s getting it done on defense as well. On December 4, Davison surpassed Wright as the franchise’s all-time steals leader. He now has 110 steals and counting. 

“I’m just coming out each day trying to get a win and do anything to get that win. If it’s scoring, defense, just be a guy that’s a leader,” he said. 

With over 800 assists in his career, Davison is already Maine’s all-time assists record holder. Tim Frazier is a distant second in that category with 463. Whether it's on offense or defense, as a scorer or a passer, Davison is determined to do whatever it takes to get Maine a win on any given night.  

And sometimes, doing what it takes to get a win means completely taking over on offense. Davison owns one of the top scoring performances this season in the G League, dropping a career-high 46 points in that same game against College Park on December 4. 46 points is the fifth most scored ever by a Maine Celtic, and the most since Luka Samanic scored 42 in 2023.  

“Each and every night can be different. It can be double-digit assists or scoring, but every game is different and sometimes, it’s time to take over. Other times shots aren’t following, and I need to get other guys shots.” 

Davison has enjoyed his time and Maine and as he says, is always focused on staying in the moment and focusing on being present where his feet are. Making an NBA dream come true is a marathon, and it’s a process that Davison has enjoyed both in Boston and in Maine. He’s growth as a professional on and off the floor in his three years and the records have stacked up along the way. Entering the new year, Davison already holds seven franchise records. By the time the season is over, he could hold as many as a dozen, solidifying himself as one of the best to ever wear a Maine jersey.  

“It’s a part of my process. Enjoying my process, enjoying my marathon everywhere I’m at. I’m smiling, I always want to get to know everybody, be on everyone’s good side and have fun with it.” 

The records are great, but the goal is a banner. Davison won the 2024 NBA Championship with Boston, helping the Celtics bring home Banner 18. Last season, he also led Maine to its first NBA G League Finals appearance, where the Celtics fell to the OKC Blue in three games. The points... The assists... The steals... It’s all about playing up to that championship standard in Boston and Maine.  

“I think everyone knows our standard from Boston to here. We got a good group, so I think we are ready to get together and have fun on the court.”