SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — Kendric Davis walked off the court at the Landers Center, fresh off a 126-124 win with the Santa Cruz Warriors on Saturday night. As most of the Warriors and Memphis Hustle players headed for their respective locker rooms, Davis was greeted with a smattering of blue and gray clad fans.

"I can't thank them enough," Davis said. "If I could do a thank you tribute every day, I would. I love it, my son loves Memphis, my mom, everybody, they love Memphis. When I say we Memphians, the city embraces me, I embrace the city and when I can give back to the city I will."

Davis starred at Memphis in 2022-23, averaging 21.9 points and 5.4 assists per game and helping the Tigers to an AAC Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. He transferred to Memphis for his final year of eligibility after stints at TCU and SMU.

The point guard went undrafted a year ago and joined the Warriors' G League team. He's had a good season, averaging 19.8 points and 7.1 assists in 11 games. He had 23 points and 14 assists on Saturday, helping the Warriors to their sixth-straight win. He was clearly the focal point of the offense, running the show like he did a few miles up the road at FedExForum last season and dazzling fans with well-timed passes and shooting an efficient 5-of-10 clip from beyond the 3-point line.

He did so with a number of Tigers fans in attendance to see Davis play in his first game in the area since his playing time with the Tigers. There was a noticeable cheer when Davis' name was announced with the starters and whenever he scored or assisted during Saturday's game.

His biggest fan might have been 7-year-old Jackson McLain, who proudly touts Davis as his favorite player and came to the game with a Kendric Davis Memphis shirt.

And why is Davis his favorite player?

"He's good," he says, and then, upon urging from his mom Kelli, adds: "He's really good."

The McLain family — dad Mac, Kelli, Jackson and 4-year-old Madison — sat a few rows behind the Warriors bench to support Davis. After the game, Davis signed a mini basketball they'd picked up on the way to the game, the third autographed item now in their family's possession.

"Really hopeful for him," Mac McLain said.

The support of the McLains and other Tigers fans in Southaven didn't go unnoticed.

"It means the world to me," Davis said. "I went to go see the team, (Tigers coach) Penny (Hardaway), got a chance to see (Memphis Grizzlies player) Desmond Bane. City loves me, I love the city. Love everything about the city. I just love Memphis."

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Kendric Davis returns to Memphis area with Santa Cruz of G League