Intramural basket commissioner Derrell “Sadiq” Davis is taking a break from the sport he loves so he can focus on other priorities. It is a big deal when athletes chose to sacrifice their sport of choice and do something that is either required or takes precedence in their lives. So when Davis made the announcement to pull away, it was a difficult task for the leading scorer and MVP of SQ’s most admired team — the SQ Warriors. The power forward was the commissioner of the Intramural league for only one year. He was also the starting forward of the SQ Warriors for two years — hence the conundrum.
Timothy Hicks: You brought some good vibes to the league after you took over the Intramural league. It’s only been a short time since doing so. Tell me why you are falling back from basketball so suddenly?
Derrell Davis: Yeah, when I came in the league the guy’s recognized my leadership qualities and they kind of hoisted me into the position. I was fresh at the prison and I had not even settled into my actual course of finding out what it is that I need to do to go home yet.
TH: I can understand that. But soon as you got to the prison, it was hard for the athlete in you not to jump right into doing the sport you love, which is basketball. Touch on that a little bit.
DD: I love basketball and I love the basketball program here. It done a lot for me. Basketball has always been my go to sport. I been playing since as long as I can remember.
TH: Before you just leave the league hanging, (laughs), tell me what are some of the things that the sports program have done for you?
DD: I can’t believe I’m doing it, [leaving the game of basketball]. I thought I would be playing basketball forever. SQ’s basketball program changed me. I was still stuck in my ways. I thought I still had it all figured out. I was still thinking I can out smart someone but I was out smarting myself. The basketball program showed me that love does exist for incarcerated people. It showed me that the volunteers have love for us. It humanizes us when they come in here to support us.
TH: Tell me exactly why you are leaving?
DD: The exact reason why I am taking a break is because I need to focus on going home for my daughter.
TH: What are some of the programs you are involved in that will replace the time you used to have to play basketball?
DD: The new dog program here and I am getting a dog. My re-sentencing. And mental preparations. I’m studying and learning more insight and causative factors for why I committed the crimes I did. I’m going to focus on my rehabilitation and the outside community and how I’m going to give back and prepare myself for what God has in store for me.
TH: What was some of the highlights you remember from playing on the team?
DD: Being able to wear the jerseys and the shoes that the actual Golden State Warriors practiced in was amazing. Able to play the GSWs was big. We did not have to go to the stadium to play them. They came to us [in prison] — that’s big.
TH: Tell me something that you brought to the league that you hope others will adapt to.
DD: I brought integrity and a big heart. Opinions, caring, accountability, leadership.
What I’m doing shows selflessness. I’m sacrificing something I love for the greater good, which is my family.
I hope that what I am doing can show those who may be at a crossroad in life and have to make the difficult choice to give up something that they love for something greater. Because doing that may make the difference in what they do that can make a positive impact on the whole community.
