Quincy Davis III held a very special basketball event on October 7th, 2017 @ Long Men Junior High School. Davis visited the school via networking with the diligent parents, teachers, and friends within the school who really care about the development of their kids and their program.
Coach Don from Swish Academy was asked to join him with Mrs. Grace, and Mr. Philip, respectively.
A scrimmage between Long Men and Min Tsu Junior High schools was
scheduled, giving Davis the opportunity to watch, take notes and drop a
few gems for the kids to learn from and apply in their journey in the
sport of basketball.
Swish Academy would like to extend gratitude to Davis, Grace, (The
TYGA Program), Coach Meng and his players from Long Men, The coach from
Min Tsu and his players, Mr. Philip, and the many other people involved
behind the scenes! (There are also many other people involved that I am
unable to name do to me being unable to write their name in Chinese…
Again, Thank you!)
Taipei Basketball Star Quincy Davis III Humbled To Call Taiwan Home
Article ｜Don Singleterry (Coach Don) Photos ｜Pure-Youth Construction Basketball Team, Chinese Taipei Basketball Association
Upon entering the gym where the Pure-Youth Construction Basketball
Team (璞園建築籃球隊) practices, the sounds of sneakers screeching along the
smooth floors, teammates chattering and the coach blowing on his whistle
are all too familiar. It is here that you will immediately notice
Quincy Davis III. Although he isn’t the tallest, fastest, or biggest
player on the team, his actions both on and off the court are making an
impact around the world.
Davis is a power forward/center for Pure-Youth Construction
Basketball Team of Taiwan’s professional basketball league, SBL. Hailing
from California and resides in Mobile, Alabama, Davis has made Taipei
his home for the last five years. His love for Taiwan and its people led
him to renounce his American citizenship in favor of becoming an
official Taiwanese national, setting in motion a wave of support.
▲ Quincy Davis III (Photo: Pure-Youth Construction Basketball Team)
Taiwan: The Country of Brotherly Love
Davis dreamed of a career in basketball from an early age. After
completing college, he went on to play basketball in Cyprus, Portugal,
Venezuela, China, and Turkey. He returned to America to start a new
chapter in his life as a firefighter, but before he could begin that
career he received a life-changing phone call inviting him to play in
Taiwan. “The love of the sport and the opportunity to further my career
in a place that believed in my ability is what brought me to Taiwan,”
Davis says. He adds that, “Taiwan is a hidden treasure that is so often
overlooked.”
Davis had longed to play for Taiwan’s national team, but as a
foreigner was ineligible to do so. To fulfill that dream, he made a
sacrificing decision to renounce his American citizenship and became a
Taiwanese national. This act brought national attention and an
outpouring of support. He went on to play for the national team, and aid
them in defeating rival mainland China, competing at a high level in
international events.
“Taiwanese people here have a genuine love and respect for me that I
have never experienced before.” Davis says. He elaborates further,
“Taiwanese culture and my teammates add the word ‘guh,’ which means
brother at the end of male’s names. Once you acknowledge a man as your
brother, it reminds you to love and respect, and I think that is very
cool.”
▲ Davis renounced his American citizenship and became a Taiwanese
national, went on to play for the national team. (Photos: Chinese Taipei
Basketball Association)
Building Better People Through Sports
With Taipei set to host the coming Universiade, Davis provides his
insight on why this event is so important for Taiwan. “It’s a huge
benefit locally and internationally. Sports instill social skills that
people need today.” He notes that, “Children are not learning enough to
work as a team to accomplish goals, nor are they given enough
opportunities to be prideful and represent their country.” It is his
belief that participation in sports can bring about positive change, and
supports this with an analogy. “In international sports, we come
together as a country, raise our flags and go compete like it’s a war.
But war is such a horrible act of violence on humanity, that ‘NO ONE’
wins. We have an alternative by competing in sports in which we become
friends, learn, grow, and go home to our loved ones.”
Davis highlights the benefits of sports and how it can impact one’s
daily life, that would last their lifetime. “Sports teach discipline,
strength, and how to fight through adversity. At some point you are
going to have to work with others at any career path you choose, and
sports will prepare you for that.” Off the court, Davis is equally
passionate. He started a summer program, TYGA (Taiwan Youth Generation
America), which takes aspiring youth to his hometown, to learn about the
culture, language and opportunities there. “It gives them a chance to
go to California, learn and become exposed to places outside of Taiwan,”
he says. “It is humbling and gives me pride when I hear of the youth
here aspiring to follow in my footsteps by playing sports.” When asked
why he feels the need to encourage Taiwan’s youth, he responds that, “As
a Taiwanese citizen, I feel that while I am on this earth, it’s my duty
to make a positive impact on people’s lives.”
Taipei State of Mind
It can be easy to forget that Davis in many ways is just like any other
typical Taiwanese citizen. He enjoys internet golf, riding YouBike and
KTV. “My singing is terrible,” he says with a laugh. He encourages
visiting friends and relatives to try Taiwan’s local cuisine. “You
always have to get them to try stinky tofu,” he says. His favorite food
is danbing, or egg crepe, because, “You can put anything in it!” It’s
these little things that make you realize that the 6ft 9in (2.08m) Davis
is adventurous and fun loving.
As the conversation draws to a close, it becomes noticeable how often
he uses the word “we.” Since becoming a citizen of Taiwan, Davis has
completely bought into playing his part and making a contribution. When
asked to give advice to others looking to renounce citizenship of their
native country in favor of another, his reply is simple. “Do it for the
right reason. Do it because you love and appreciate the culture.” He
adds that, “Don’t try to change it either. Embrace it! Taiwan is the
only place where I have felt that people care for my humanity and
well-being. The Taiwanese are humble and I believe that they take good
care of their people.”
For Davis, Taiwan is a home away from home. It is a place of
humanity, love and acceptance. In an age where people of high status can
be difficult to engage with, understand or relate to, this isn’t the
case with Davis. He took time out for this interview on his birthday,
something many would not consider doing. This confirms that he is in the
right place, and Taiwan is better off for having him.
