Towson Forward John Davis To Miss Rest Of Season After Shooting

Towson University basketball player John Davis and another person are recovering after an apparent drive-by shooting in Philadelphia. Davis' coach on Tuesday said he won't be taking the court again for the Tigers, but that his playing days aren't entirely behind him.

The Philadelphia Police Department said the shooting happened along South Fourth Street around 12:30 a.m.

Davis, a senior forward and co-captain for the Tigers, was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for a gunshot wound and released, university officials said.

Police are still searching for suspects.

Davis was at his mother's home in Philadelphia after the Tigers' win over Drexel Saturday night. WBAL-TV 11 Sports talked with Davis last week before their over Drexel.

"The guys in the locker room, we all know what we have. We know how hard we work. We know how much talent we have," Davis said last week.

Towson head coach Pat Skerry told 11 News' Pete Gilbert that Davis is injured, but will play basketball again.

However, Skerry announced during Tuesday's weekly Colonial Athletic Association teleconference that Davis would miss the remainder of the season.

"His health is fine," Skerry said during the call. "He'll be able to play next year overseas, but he won't play the rest of this season. He's been a leader for us and a good role model for our guys. We are forever grateful for John. He's done a lot of more for our program than what we were ever able to do for him."

Skerry called Davis the glue that held his team together after an 0-4 start in conference play. Since then, the Tigers have won nine out of 10 games with Davis leading the way.

Skerry released a statement Sunday through the university, saying:

“John stayed back in Philadelphia Saturday night for the dedication of the birth of his son, Bryson Hunter Davis Harris. He was outside of his family home when a car drove by and opened fire. We are extremely thankful that John, and everybody else involved, was not seriously harmed. Our main focus right now is on the health of John Davis.”

Word traveled quickly back to Towson University. Students stunned by the news.

"I was really shocked. I heard last night. There's all talk on Twitter and everything," Towson University student Jeff Bille said.

"Obviously, it's probably going to affect their playing this season. That makes me sad. I'm on one of the dance teams. We perform at the games. We all really like supporting them, so that's really heartbreaking to hear," Towson University student Dana Taylor said.

"Hopefully he makes a strong recovery. I mean, hopefully he focuses on himself first and then the team, but everybody's definitely behind him," Towson University student Kamrin Muscalli said.

Carl Arrigale, who was Davis' coach at Neumann-Goretti High School in Philadelphia, said he's an overachiever who plays with a lot of heart. He spoke to Davis after the shooting.

"It felt good to hear his voice, and I know he's good. He's in good spirits and hopefully everything will go well when he goes and sees the doctor," Arrigale said.