Anthony Davis grew up in Chicago and was raised in the Christian tradition. He practiced basketball at a local church as a child and later returned to support that community through donations, showing a connection to his church roots.
Quick Profile: Anthony Davis
| Full Name | Anthony Marshon Davis Jr. |
| Date of Birth | March 11, 1993 |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Religion | Christian |
What Religion Is Anthony Davis?
Anthony Davis practices Christianity and has been a believer his entire life. He grew up practicing basketball at a local church in South Chicago and regularly attended services at a church in the Englewood neighborhood. While the specific denomination of his faith remains unknown, his actions speak volumes about his commitment to Christian values.
During the Christmas season of 2012, Davis demonstrated his faith in action by donating coats to children at his former Chicago church. When speaking about this charitable event, he said something that perfectly captures how his faith influences his life. He expressed that he wanted to give back to the city that helped him through everything, acknowledging that God has blessed him and that giving back is simply a part of who he is, based on how he was raised.
Early Life
Anthony Marshon Davis Jr. was born on March 11, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois. He was born to Anthony Davis Sr. and Erainer Davis, and grew up in the South Side of Chicago. Davis has a twin sister named Antoinette and an older sister named Lesha who played basketball at Daley College.
Growing up in Chicago presented its challenges, but Davis found support in basketball and his community. He attended Perspectives Charter School, where he had been a student since sixth grade. The school was a charter institution with a primary focus on Math and Science, which meant athletics received little attention. Because his school lacked a gymnasium, Davis and his friends practiced basketball at a nearby church.
What makes Davis’s story remarkable is his incredible growth spurt during high school. He experienced rapid growth, shooting up 10 inches between his freshman and senior seasons. He finished his freshman year standing just 6 feet tall, but by the beginning of his sophomore year, he had grown to 6 feet 1 inch, and by the end of that year, he stood at 6 feet 4 inches. When his junior basketball season began, Davis had reached 6 feet 8 inches, and he felt fortunate to have experienced such rapid growth without suffering from knee pain.
During his junior year, his family considered transferring him to one of Chicago’s basketball powerhouses, but his coach advised against it, believing that talent would be recognized regardless of location. That advice proved correct. Although he remained unnoticed nationally and locally after three seasons in the Chicago Public League, he soon became rated as the number one player in the class of 2011 by Scout.com and was listed in the ESPNU 100.
In the March 2011 McDonald’s All-American Game, Davis performed in front of a hometown crowd at the United Center, scoring 14 points with 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks. In the Nike Hoops Summit, he led the USA Basketball team to victory with 16 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. At the Jordan Brand Classic, he was named co-MVP after posting 29 points on 13-for-15 shooting, 11 rebounds, and four blocks.
College Career
Davis committed to play for the Kentucky Wildcats under coach John Calipari, and even before his college career began, he was already being mentioned as a potential first overall selection in the 2012 NBA draft.
During his single year at the University of Kentucky, Davis gathered an impressive list of accolades including National Champion, Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Consensus First Team All-American, Wooden Award winner, Naismith Award winner, Rupp Trophy award winner, AP Player of the Year, NABC Defensive Player of the Year, All-SEC First Team selection, USBWA Player of the Year, and USBWA Freshman of the Year.
Davis led Kentucky to a national championship and was named the most outstanding player of the 2012 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament. He led the NCAA in blocks and set Southeastern Conference and NCAA Division I freshman single-season blocked shots records.
Following his dominant freshman season, Davis declared for the NBA draft and was selected as the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets (later renamed the Pelicans). That same summer, he was selected to play in the 2012 Olympics, making him the only college player on the team after Blake Griffin suffered an injury. The team went undefeated in London and won the gold medal match over Spain.
Professional Career
Anthony Davis has established himself as one of the most dominant players in the NBA. After his rookie season, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. The following season, he became an All-Star for the first time and led the NBA in blocked shots per game.
In 2017, Davis set an NBA All-Star Game record by scoring 52 points along with 10 rebounds, breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s previous All-Star record high of 42 points, and won the game’s Most Valuable Player award. This performance took place on his home floor in New Orleans, making it even more special.
In 2019, Davis was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal that sent Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and multiple first-round draft picks to New Orleans. The trade had an instant payoff, with the Lakers winning the NBA championship in 2020 during Davis’s first year with the team. In the NBA finals, he averaged 25 points and 10.7 rebounds in six games, scoring 19 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in the team’s title-clinching victory over the Miami Heat.
Davis became the first athlete in history to win an NBA championship, an NCAA championship, an Olympic gold medal, and a FIBA World Cup championship. This rare achievement showcases his success at every level of basketball competition.
In February 2025, Davis was part of another blockbuster trade that sent him to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Dončić, in what was regarded as one of the most unexpected trades in American sports history.
Career Earnings
Anthony Davis has earned substantial income throughout his NBA career through both his playing contracts and endorsement deals.
According to estimates as of 2025, Anthony Davis’s wealth is around $160 million, earned through his NBA salary, endorsement money, and wise investments.
Contract History:
Davis signed his rookie contract, a 4-year deal worth $23.2 million with the New Orleans Hornets in 2012. In July 2015, he signed a 5-year, $127.2 million maximum rookie extension with New Orleans.
After being traded to the Lakers in 2019, Davis signed a 5-year, $189.9 million contract in December 2020. In August 2023, he signed a 3-year, $186 million contract extension with the Lakers, averaging $62 million per season, making it the richest annual salary in NBA history at that time.
For the 2024-25 season, Davis earns a base salary of $43.2 million, and for the 2025-26 season, his salary increases to $54.1 million. His total career earnings through his NBA contracts have reached approximately $364 million.
Personal Life
Anthony Davis has successfully kept much of his personal life private despite his fame. Davis is married to Marlen Polanco Davis, who is of Dominican descent. The couple began dating sometime around 2016, although the exact details remain private.
Anthony and Marlen made their first public appearance together at the Vanity Fair Oscars Afterparty in February 2020. On September 18, 2021, at The Beverly Hills Hotel in California, they officially tied the knot. The wedding was a star-studded affair with family and friends flying in from around the globe to celebrate. Guests included LeBron James, singer Adele, Russell Westbrook, and sports agent Rich Paul. During the reception, Davis grabbed the microphone to serenade his new bride with the song “Never Make a Promise” by Dru Hill.
The couple has three children together. Their first daughter, Nala Davis, was born on November 1, 2017. In a 2021 interview, Davis revealed they had a son on the way, who was likely born before their September wedding. In a September 2022 interview with Spectrum News, Davis confirmed they welcomed a third child, another baby boy, saying he now had “a girl and two boys” and joked that he and Marlen were “outnumbered”.
Davis has expressed the deep importance of family in his life, stating that the greatest luxury in life is family, and that no matter what happens, family will always be there. He described himself as a “homebody” who likes to relax with his family.
The Davis family resides in an exclusive Bel Air gated community called Bel Air Crest. Marlen Polanco Davis is known for valuing privacy and has chosen to live a life away from the spotlight, with no public social media accounts or brand collaborations.
