Wildcats Association Series | Joshua Davey, Lakeside Lightning

Joshua Davey has done it all as a player at Lakeside Lightning, from attending holiday camps as a kid to working his way through WABL and into NBL1. Lakeside has always been Davey’s basketball home, with the club playing a major role in both his development as a player and the person he has become off the court.

Davey has built an impressive résumé throughout his time at Lakeside and abroad. The Western Australian spent two years playing NCAA Division II basketball at Lubbock Christian University, while also earning multiple honours throughout his career with the Lightning, including being named in Lakeside's 30 Year Team.

“My basketball journey started here at Lakeside with holiday camps growing up. My brother started playing basketball here and I just sort of joined in with him,” he told Wildcats Media. 

As his career progressed into senior basketball, he credits a number of coaches and teammates for helping push his development forward during his early NBL1 seasons.

Among those was Lakeside Lightning coach Dave Daniels, who Davey says challenged him from the moment he entered the program and helped elevate his expectations around what was required at a higher level.

“I remember my first year in the NBL1, we had coach Dave Daniels who was great to me because he raised the standard. I had an expectation coming in and he just lifted that standard and that really helped me develop.”

Former teammate Daniel Alexander also left a strong impression, particularly through the professionalism and work ethic he brought to the group both on and off the floor.

“He was a great role model for me, showing me what the bar is and how to get there. We’d get in and do individual workouts and stuff like that, so he’s been a good inspiration for me.”

While Lakeside has remained the foundation of Davey’s basketball journey, recent off-seasons have also provided opportunities to continue developing his game at an elite level through training stints with the Perth Wildcats.

“I’ve been super blessed over a couple of off-seasons to be able to train with the Wildcats and join in with the boys throughout their season as well, it’s been awesome for my development. Being able to get coaching from elite coaches but then also compete with some of the best players in the country has been amazing. Every single off-season that I’m training with the Wildcats, I get better, so I’m super grateful for that.”

Davey is no stranger to NBL basketball, making his NBL debut for the Cairns Taipans as a development player during the 2022/23 season and going on to feature in 18 games throughout the season.

Representing Australia in 3x3 basketball has become one of the standout experiences, with the chance to wear the green and gold meaning more than anything else.

“Three-on-three is awesome! I think I’m well suited to the game with my physical attributes and the way I play. Just being able to put on the Australian jersey is something that’s really special to me.”

That opportunity eventually led to one of the biggest moments of his career, helping Australia claim gold on the international stage.

“You play with another level of pride knowing that you’re wearing the green and gold. It’s pretty cliché, but it’s every kid’s dream. As soon as you pick up a basketball, you want to make it to the highest level and that’s playing for your country. Winning gold was a next level experience, we had a great group that year and it was amazing.”

Reflecting on what the game has given him, Davey knows none of it is possible without first walking into Lakeside Lightning as a 12-year-old and has remained connected to the club ever since.

“We talk about 'more than a game' and I think Lakeside does a great job of developing you on the court and also off the court and that’s something that makes me feel really valued here. It’s a community and culture as much as it is a basketball club,

Catch Lakeside Lightning take on the Perry Lakes Hawks on Friday, 8 May @ Lakeside Recreation Centre.

Womens tip-off 6:30pm
Mens tip-off 8:30pm