Charles Davis promised to come back. He vowed that if he ever made it to the NBA, he would return to the poor neighborhood in Nashville where he grew up, and he would help the children. Charles Davis is a man of his word. After starring at Nashville’s McGavock High School, Charles Davis went on to play basketball at Vanderbilt, graduating in 1981. Davis led the Commodores in rebounding in all four years he played, and he also led in scoring twice. He held the VU career record for field goals and is high on the all-time scoring list with 1,675 points. Following an outstanding four years at Vanderbilt, Davis embarked on an NBA career which spanned nine seasons. During that time, he played with the Washington Bullets, the Milwaukee Bucks, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Chicago Bulls. No matter how accomplished a player Davis may have been, his devotion to the Nashville community shows that he is surely a great person. The Charles Davis Foundation, started during his NBA career, provides educational, athletic, and vocational instruction for Nashville inner-city children. For his work, Davis has been recognized both on the local and national levels. A street near the housing projects where he grew up now bears his name. Nashville and the state of Tennessee proudly honor Charles Davis, truly a man of his word.
