By: Marshall Sunner
Heading into TBT 2021, Joe Kuykendall and his Founding Fathers team were excited, not only to play the first games the team will play in the tournament, but to also help put James Madison basketball back on the map.
The Founding Fathers were looking forward to putting Ron Curry, Devon Moore and A.J. Davis back on the floor together this summer – for the first time competitively since the Dukes’ magical run to the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
But adversity hit when Davis, a guard, was struck by a vehicle when delivering food to the homeless and suffered serious injuries in early May. Davis will not play in the TBT, but he does plan to still be on the sidelines.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We love you, AJ. 🙏🏼👊🏼 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewProfilePic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewProfilePic</a> <a href="https://t.co/YbLf3oo038">pic.twitter.com/YbLf3oo038</a></p>— The Founding Fathers (@FoundFathersTBT) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoundFathersTBT/status/1390415358662750213?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>“First and foremost, we’re excited and thankful to get the opportunity to play in a tournament like this. And then moreso, for what just happened to my cousin (Davis), it just puts a little more umph into it,” said Moore. “We’re blessed that he’s alive and here with us, but also if that doesn’t motivate you, then something’s wrong. We’re playing for something more.”
Davis played a huge part in getting the Founding Fathers into TBT this year as well. Kuykendall, the team’s general manager, said that Davis was one of the first guy’s he reached out to about TBT and that he was the one reaching out to other players about the opportunity.
Now, with him out, Kuykendall vows that the team will be playing for Davis.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our guy, AJ Davis, was in a bad accident on Wed. night. He has a long road to recovery physically, mentally and financially but we know AJ will fight like hell. A GoFundMe has been set up to help with his financial recovery. The link to donate is in our bio. Thank you! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForAJ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForAJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/JJmFhUMGJJ">pic.twitter.com/JJmFhUMGJJ</a></p>— The Founding Fathers (@FoundFathersTBT) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoundFathersTBT/status/1390726190147723264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>“[After the accident], it certainly gives us a lot to play for now. It’s given everyone a little extra motivation.”
Moore, one of the top players on the team, is excited and grateful to have his cousin on the bench this summer, but has a hard time describing what it means to play for Davis.
“There’s no words. We’re definitely going to compete, but like I said, just knowing how serious everything was – you can never take life for granted,” said Moore. “We always check on one another, but now this is playing for A.J. It gives us more motivation and wanting to play and be the best we can be. It makes us want to work, want to work harder.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The thoughts of the entire JMU Men’s Basketball family are with A.J. Davis today after last night’s accident.<br><br>Keeping him and his loved ones in our thoughts and hopes today and moving forward with his fight. <a href="https://t.co/dN3SN92pX4">pic.twitter.com/dN3SN92pX4</a></p>— JMU Men's Basketball (@JMUMBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMUMBasketball/status/1390414882126942214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>He also believes Davis’ energy on the bench this summer will help the team as well.
“I think every player will feed off of his energy because regardless if he was going to be on the court or off of the court, you were going to hear him. And if you weren’t going to hear his voice, you are going to feel his presence because of the type of person he is,” said Moore. “I think we’re going to definitely feed off of his energy and we’re still going to hear his voice – which that’s the best part about it.”
Davis has been grateful for the support he’s received from the team and the JMU family. He’s also ready for himself to be on the sidelines, too.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">😎😈😎😈😎😈 <a href="https://t.co/8bYDjq3AWo">pic.twitter.com/8bYDjq3AWo</a></p>— The Founding Fathers (@FoundFathersTBT) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoundFathersTBT/status/1407022682332409860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>“The impact [from his support group] has been unmeasurable,” said Davis. “Just from calls and support – and asking me if I still wanted to come down and help with the team so we could still get into the tournament … I think my role will be those sets of eyes to help guys make reads and to see what other teams are doing offensively and defensively.”
Along with playing for Davis, the Founding Fathers will still be looking to put James Madison back on the map in the college basketball landscape with their appearance in TBT.
“We know we’re not some big Power 5 program or even a mid-major program with an incredible basketball history, we do have a great history,” said Kuykendall. “We’re just trying to build back up this energy for JMU basketball – get JMU back on the map.”
Moore echoed his GM.
“That’s who saved my life (JMU). I had other opportunities, but to take a chance going there – it’s been amazing,” said Moore. “We’re known for a football school, but we can hoop too. To get people back out there and in the spotlight, it’s cool. With our culture at JMU, it’s going to help the program along the line.”