Madison’s Olbrich Park was filled with players, spectators, families and vendors during a Labor Day Weekend three-on-three basketball tournament in tribute to former Madison East high school star and Sun Prairie West boys basketball coach Chris Davis, Sr, held on the first anniversary of his sudden death.
Davis Sr., who graduated from East after a stellar prep basketball career in 2007, starred at Madison College and then was national player of the year at UW-Whitewater.
He was head coach of the boys basketball team at Sun Prairie West and also served as a student advocate in the Sun Prairie school district, helping kids navigate life particularly around racial biases and struggles within the district. Sun Prairie has had myriad race issues as a school district over the years, which Davis Sr. was vocal about and provided leadership to students.
Davis Sr. passed away unexpectedly on August 31, 2024, at age 36, leaving a large void in his son Chris Davis Jr.’s life as well as depriving the Madison and Sun Prairie communities of a vital leader.
Chris Davis Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a superstar high school athlete. He led the state in scoring the past two seasons and was all-state first team in 2025. Davis jr. will now play Division 1 basketball at College of Charleston and wanted to host an event over Labor Day weekend that coincided with the anniversary of his father’s passing.
“Olbrich Park is where I spent most of my life playing basketball outside,” Davis jr. told Madison365. “My dad has been the same way, been coming out here since he was a kid. Just seeing all the youth that came out in their jerseys and all was great.”
The event started at 10am both Saturday and Sunday and basketball was played all day long at Olbrich. There were multiple food vending tents set up, a dj, and families gathering watching good basketball being played (mostly by Davis, Jr.)
“Everything turned out great,” said Darnell Washington, who helped organize the event. “This will be something we’ll be continuing throughout the years. This will be an event that’ll be Aug.31 forever for Chris Davis sr.”
Several people Madison365 spoke to said that Davis Jr. is following in his father’s footsteps not just as a basketball player but also as a man.
“He’s a leader at a young age right now,” Washington said. “I see him being a leader when he gets older. His dad was a phenomenal player and person.”
Davis Jr. said he wants to be involved in the community and keep bringing people together.
“Everything I’m doing right now, I watched my dad do it with other kids while I was growing up,” Davis Jr. said. “So, I wanted to continue with that legacy.”
Davis Jr. said things have gone well so far since he’s joined the College of Charleston team. He’s been out there since May getting acclimated to the campus and figuring out his role on the basketball team.
Charleston was 24-9 last year and is coached by Chris Mack, who has led teams deep to the NCAA tournament while coaching at Xavier and Louisville.
As Davis Jr. embarks on the next level of his basketball journey, it was top of mind for everyone at Olbrich Park to wonder how Chris sr. would feel if he could see his son now.
“You did good,” Washington said Chris Sr. would say.
