My life journey began with humble beginnings, love, community, and amazing food on the Westbank of New Orleans. Growing up, I learned and experienced firsthand the meaning of community and why "It takes a village to raise a child" is not just a cliché saying. I am living proof that if you raise a child with a dream in a village filled with love and support, anything is possible, even if money is not abundant.

Although I grew up with a single mother, the support the community and family provided was the perfect helping hand to ensure I reached my full potential. From Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church to my amateur basketball team, Lady Pride, and the street I grew up on, I was always surrounded by those I knew and loved. This sense of community has stuck with me and is the core foundation I carry with me all over the world.

When I needed a friend, I knew if I just found a court I would find one. When I wanted an outlet, I would go to the basketball court. When my mother needed a way to motivate me to get better grades, the threat to not allow me to play basketball worked like magic!

My grandfather was a father figure for me growing up. When I was 13, he passed away abruptly due to cancer. I was not prepared and didn’t know how to process the emotions I felt. Around the same time, my mom got married and moved to London while I remained with my grandmother. Looking back, it was a very traumatic period, but I persevered that year by winning the basketball championship and earning MVP honours in softball, along with standout performances in basketball. This is a testament to how challenges can sometimes be key for evolution.

My grades did take a hit, and my mom was not happy with that. As a result, I found myself moving across the world as a freshman in high school, with a strong New Orleans accent and no friends. This was challenge number two within two years, but it also became an achievement. I successfully closed out my freshman year in England, averaging 30 points per game abroad as a 14-year-old playing with 18 to 23-year-olds. I am forever grateful my parents decided to uproot me.

I was introduced to the game by God himself, if you let me tell it – just joking…kinda. The truth is my older cousin Jamaal gave me my first basketball and became my first coach, even though he was only five years older than I - no surprise he's in education now as an adult. My grandfather followed up with another basketball and a hoop. At the age of 3, I knew I wanted to play basketball. I always say it was fate, and I was meant to have this love affair with the game.

Jori Davis

My introduction to the game came from playing and starting the journey with my family. It was always a quality-time activity, which is my love language, so it felt like a platonic type of "love and basketball." It was a way to connect with others, build community, and learn more about a game I was naturally drawn to.

The journey has been filled with ups and downs but the game of basketball has been my trusted companion throughout some difficult transitions in life.  When I needed a friend, I knew if I just found a court I would find one. When I wanted an outlet, I would go to the basketball court. When my mother needed a way to motivate me to get better grades, the threat to not allow me to play basketball worked like magic! 

For me, maintaining peak performance and mental well-being is deeply rooted in a holistic approach to health. This means nurturing not just the body, but also the mind and spirit.  Top of the list is active rest, with a side of beach therapy - haha! Seriously though, rest, recovery, and enjoying interests outside of sports are crucial for a balanced life. Everyone is different, so I usually advise people to take the time to get to know themselves, track what works and doesn’t work for their body, and identify which environments their body and soul respond well to. Being aware and in tune with oneself is key to discovering what strategies work best.

Success doesn't come without obstacles that are necessary for growth and help propel you into discovering your fulfilling path. One of the main obstacles in my journey has been the asymmetry of information and fragmentation of platforms needed to make informed career decisions.

Concerning better support and promotion of women in sports, I would like to see the sports industry and media embrace more authenticity and diversity. There are so many compelling narratives out there from athletes at all levels, each with unique journeys, challenges, and triumphs outside of the top 0.5%. Some are advocating for things on the grassroots level that matter.

Promoting these stories can provide a more accurate and inspiring representation of women in sports. By doing so, we can break down stereotypes and broaden the perception of what it means to be a female athlete.

Moreover, I would love to see more creativity and innovation in how these stories are told. Media and sports organizations should not be afraid to push boundaries and experiment with new formats and platforms. This could include in-depth documentaries, interactive digital experiences, and community-driven storytelling initiatives.

We are transforming the sports industry by putting powerful digital tools and decentralized data into the hands of athletes. By democratizing access to contract data and legal insights, we’re challenging the traditional gatekeepers and making this critical information accessible, affordable, and easy to understand for athletes worldwide.

A recent milestone I am proud of is having WEVOLV, my sports tech startup, become the technical partner for the first Athlete Abroad Summit for American athletes playing overseas. This summit is the first of its kind, and I am excited to be part of this initiative for years to come. Within my sports career, a significant milestone is signing to play my final year as a professional athlete at the age of 35, while remaining healthy and in good condition. This is a blessing I don't take for granted.  

Success doesn't come without obstacles that are necessary for growth and help propel you into discovering your fulfilling path. One of the main obstacles in my journey has been the asymmetry of information and fragmentation of platforms needed to make informed career decisions. The lack of transparency often led to making uninformed choices and experiencing turbulence and friction.

It was very isolating and I felt ashamed at times that I didn't know my worth and what was best practice or not from the business side of the industry. Fortunately, I was able to overcome these challenges, but I have seen many of my talented peers struggle without the same outcome. This has motivated me in the next chapter of my life to create solutions that address these issues and support others in their journeys.  

Navigating these obstacles required fierce perseverance and an unwavering refusal to be denied. From an early age, I put in the work to overcome my initial struggles in basketball. My refusal to quit has been key to overcoming challenges, though I have faced setbacks along the way. These experiences taught me the value of resilience and determination in achieving my goals. Simply put I didn’t quit, and above all, I was coachable and open to learning from those that came before me. Picking up the gems as I followed in their footsteps.

Jori Davis

What makes me a Disruptor is encapsulated in what we’re doing with WEVOLV. We are transforming the sports industry by putting powerful digital tools and decentralised data into the hands of athletes. By democratising access to contract data and legal insights, we’re challenging the traditional gatekeepers and making this critical information accessible, affordable, and easy to understand for athletes worldwide. It’s about breaking down barriers and empowering individuals with the information they need to make informed decisions. Disruptive innovation isn’t just a strategy; it’s a mindset. I am excited to continue exploring and expanding my repertoire of ideas throughout my lifetime. 

Jori Davis is a highly accomplished international professional basketball player, seasoned world traveller, and entrepreneur from New Orleans. Over her 14-year career, she has played in over nine countries, including Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Israel, and New Zealand.

Her basketball journey began at Indiana University, where she became the 10th all-time leading scorer. Drafted 33rd overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2011 WNBA Draft, she wasn’t given the opportunity to try out, leading her to start her professional career abroad in Israel.

Through her international experiences, Jori recognized the need for better support and information for athletes. This inspired her to create WEVOLV, a platform designed to decentralize data and empower athletes to make informed career decisions. WEVOLV aims to help athletes take charge of their legacies and have greater control over their destinies, both on and off the field.