featuring
Jori Davis
Basketball Player for the Basket Costa Panthers
Founder of WeVolv.net
Meet Jori Davis! The former Indiana Basketball standout that’s using her nine year playing experience overseas to help others along the same path, while encouraging and inspiring them to create new paths through her entrepreneurial venture, Wevolv.
LL – Life is great! Tell us what’s awesome in your life right now?
JD – I have always prayed to continue my career in some of the wonders of the world, and now for my 9th year I am playing in Costa Masnaga, Italy for Basket Costa. It’s a small town, about 35 minutes from Milan, in a beautiful area near the wonderful lakes of Como and Lecco.
It is a blessing to be playing my 9th season abroad when many barely make it to two. Playing the game I love while going on my personal journey to self discovery outside of my athletic identity is truly amazing. Travel not only helps you to open your mind, but in the process you can better understand yourself. The master artist gives us something to be grateful for in good or bad situations, so I just feel lucky to have more good than bad.
LL – What are you reading/watching/listening to right now that everyone needs to know about?
JD – I’m currently re-reading a book called The Miracle Morning. This book has had a major impact on how I start my day. So, I decided to listen to the audio book to get more insight on the practices he recommends. I think this is one of many books one should read to understand the power of meditation and having a morning routine.
LL – So you came from the WONDERFUL Simon Skjodt Indiana University Assembly Hall where you tore it up on the court. Now you are beginning your ninth stint overseas. You’ve played everywhere from Israel, Romania, Switzerland, Italy, and last year for one of the most respected clubs in Valencia, Spain. For all the young aspiring professional athletes out there, that may not know much about playing internationally, would you please tell us how the opportunity came about?
JD – When it comes to playing abroad many assume you need an agent. Don’t get me wrong, an agent at this point until something new is created is needed. However, networking is how you get an opportunity abroad. In most cases the agent is that middle man, but there are other ways to connect with teams. In my case, I had to seek out an agent to help me manage my pro career. I, like many others that didn’t know any other way, found my first agent by asking other players who they had and just picked the best option. That’s when the opportunity to play in Israel came about.
Being drafted out of college by the Indiana Fever was a big help when it came to exposure and European teams being interested. Exposure and your network are two important things that play a major part in getting an opportunity overseas.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have done more research and made sure the agent understood my personal goals; however, lack of knowledge was and still is an issue for rookies. Understanding what really needs to be accomplished in your first year to keep moving up, and setting goals for myself and defining what I wanted out of this career.
“Showing my authentic self will inspire the next generation to be who they are; because that is the game changer.”
LL – Basketball aside, life internationally is much different. What are some of the differences between life abroad and life at home, and how have you made the adjustment so well?
JD – The lifestyle and culture abroad is very much so different. In my opinion, they appreciate the little things in life more than Americans. European culture is very family oriented and they appreciate spending quality time with one another. The life is simple. In America, everything is money driven, and everyone is working to chase the so called “American dream.” Europeans live with much less than we do in America. The homes, cars, hotels, stores, and anything else you name are on a lower scale.
My first year, it was a small adjustment due to the fact that I had experience living abroad in London during my freshman year of high school. That experience prepared me for this stage in my life. So I am grateful I had that opportunity at a young age to open my mind to European lifestyle.
When it comes to people, the ability to communicate effectively is imperative no matter where you are in the world; so the language barrier while playing in Italy, Israel and other European countries I think has been a challenge at times. I had to really take time to learn the basics of the language and A LOT of google translate!!! Patience and being open to understand the difference in culture has always made the transition easier.
Personally I really enjoy the European lifestyle and culture so my transition may be drastically different than another American player. I will say once again I’ve been blessed to play in some beautiful destinations. Maybe if I played in Russia or somewhere cold my feedback would be different!
LL – How would you describe your personal style? Has it changed or evolved since coming over to Europe?
JD – My personal style has always been a simple, and had an urban feel. Never been the type to wear the mainstream brands if I didn’t have too. I like to wear a variety of styles, but I usually mix urban and the smart look together, if that makes sense. After playing so many years abroad my style has been influenced by European fashion.
As I mature, my style has shifted to what I call “smart urban.” Haha, just a blend of urban and smart/casual. Some brands I like are Clearweather brand, Antony Morato, Jack and Jones, and just individual urban pieces I put together on my own.
“…style is based off your own personal taste and that I want to one day create a line that represents Jori.”
LL – What’s the story behind your favorite piece/article in your wardrobe?
JD – Well I am a bit of a sneakerhead. So my fave part of dressing up is the shoe choice. I have a pair of brown Clearweather brand sneakers that I love. I actually had them years before today and loved the brand. Now, they are slowly going into mainstream; however the style before they began to change inspired me to want to create my own line one day. So those shoes always remind me that style is based off your own personal taste and that I want to one day create a line that represents Jori.
LL – What do you enjoy most about your craft (basketball)?
JD – Basketball is my passion, and that alone is something many search to find in life. I was able to find it at a very young age so im blessed. I enjoy the team aspect of basketball the most. The game taught me how to follow, lead, communicate, and work with others. These skills are imperative in life as well. So I find it cool how the game can be related to life. In a sense, the game and I have grown and evolved together; almost like a love affair.
LL – Word on the street is your international opportunity has lead you to explore your Entrepreneurial side. Would you care to tell us a little bit about what you’re exploring and what you want to accomplish?
JD – Many companies start with a person having a need that isn’t being met, so they actually do something about it. In my case that’s exactly what happened to me. There are things we need as elite athletes and they just aren’t being paid attention to. The lack of community, mentorship, and control over our abilities needs to change. I’ve gone through the process and that has opened my eyes to the opportunities available from a business standpoint.
“My goal is to create an elite digital society for athletes that helps them to manage their life long careers. I envision a global ecosystem of athletes mentoring, educating, and collaborating with one another to ultimately own our industry and abilities.”
LL – How do you feel you inspire others through your work as a basketball player and budding Entrepreneur?
JD – A rose that grew out the concrete is a cliché saying for many that started from humble beginnings; but those that come from places many don’t expect to be successful is inspiring. I’m not the smartest, or a genius, and that’s what makes my story so inspiring. Showing my authentic self will inspire the next generation to be who they are; because that is the game changer.
LL – What is a source of inspiration you draw from to do what you do and be who you are?
JD – My source has always been my spiritual connection with God and just always striving to not only be the best version of myself, but the version He intends for me to be. Knowing how my story can now inspire the youth motivates me to keep going. My younger brother is watching, so I want to show him the way.
LL – Where is your next travel destination? Why there?
JD – Thailand will be my next travel destination. I feel travel is imperative in life and I want to explore every inch of it if God allows. I have never been to that part of the world and I’ve heard nothing but great things about Thailand. Another culture and group of people to immerse myself in.
“The game taught me how to follow, lead, communicate, and work with others. These skills are imperative in life as well. So I find it cool how the game can be related to life.”
LL – What’s an off-the-clock hobby you have, and how do you feel it adds balance to your life?
JD – My off the clock hobby is my start up company Wevolv. I’ve found it more important than ever to really plan out my time and be productive. The game requires a lot of my mental and physical energy so at this point the only hobby is business and learning the skills I need to build a successful one.
“Knowing how my story can now inspire the youth motivates me to keep going.”
LL – What’s something you’ve learned in your life thus far that you want to share with others?
JD – The most important thing to control in life is your mental. The mind can be the difference in how life plays out for you. Conquer your mind and you can conquer anything in life. I’m still evolving and trying to master mine to this day, but I’ve seen the benefits of meditation and really working on having a positive mindset.
Luvet Lifestyle ft. Jori Davis
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