Baylor's Davis misses game to partake in national media day

Published Nov. 4, 2015 12:22 a.m. ET

foxsports

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) Baylor's Nina Davis was faced with a difficult choice.

She was invited to be part of the NCAA's first national women's basketball media day in Connecticut on Tuesday, but her team had an exhibition game that night against Texas A&M Commerce. There was no way she would be able to do both.

''My first thought was I don't want to miss a game,'' Davis said. ''I didn't want to be here doing interviews while my team was preparing for a game. How does that make me look?''

She discussed it with coach Kim Mulkey, who said the decision was up to her star.

''Once I talked it over and seeing the bigger picture of how I'd be representing my school and women's basketball, I was like OK. I was ready to come,'' Davis said. ''This opportunity is rare and only a handful of student athletes get this opportunity. It's only an exhibition game and I'm sure they'll be OK without me.''

Baylor did just fine without Davis, who averaged 21.1 points and 8.3 rebounds last season. Alexis Jones scored 22 points to help the fifth-ranked Lady Bears cruise to a 104-41 win.

Davis, Tennessee's Diamond DeShields, South Carolina's Tiffany Mitchell and UConn's Breanna Stewart and Moriah Jefferson did a round of interviews at ESPN to help promote the sport. They were joined by Final Four coaches Geno Auriemma, Muffet McGraw, Brenda Frese and Dawn Staley.

The five players posed for pictures and enjoyed their time together before the season starts on Nov. 13. Each of them is hoping to make it to Indianapolis to play for the NCAA title in early April.

''Right now it's all friendly,'' Davis said smiling.

Baylor's 5-foot-11 star and DeShields were part of the same recruiting class and became friends over the summer while both played for USA Basketball at the World University Games in South Korea.

''Anytime you put on a USA jersey it's something really special as you're representing your country,'' Davis said. ''I got to know so many girls including Diamond.''