He was a self-confessed lazy student, unwilling to do what it takes to succeed. That was before basketball came into his life.

Now Chuck Davis knows the meaning of hard work.

The current University of Alabama shooting guard returned

home to Southside High School on Friday and became the first inductee into the Panthers’ Hall of Fame. More importantly, Davis said, he wanted to get his message across to the Southside High student body the importance of hard work and discipline in order to reach their dreams.

“Basketball has done a lot for me. It has taken me a lot of places,” Davis said. “One thing it has taught me is that you have to keep going and never give up.

“A lot of people will tell you that you can’t do things,” Davis continued. “It’s up to you. You can do what you want to.”

Former Southside High head basketball coach

George Peoples said he remembers Davis as a strong player who lacked one major asset – confidence.

“A lot of people came to me and told me Chuck was too soft, too lazy,” Peoples said. “When he first came into the gym, I said, ‘I can’t believe the things that they’re saying about this kid. He has too much talent.'”

Fortunately for Peoples and Davis, the coach didn’t go by others’ suggestions, and the Panthers reached the regional finals in Davis’ senior year.

“I found that all Chuck needed was confidence,” Peoples said. “He didn’t believe in himself because of the fact people said he wasn’t going to make it here or at Alabama. He’s not strong enough, he’s too lazy. The tool that I taught Chuck that worked best for Chuck was confidence.”

Southside principal Gary Crum announced that Davis would be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. He invited students to use Davis’ induction as motivation for them to reach for their goals.

Crum then presented Davis with a framed copy of the Sports Illustrated cover that Davis made during the Tide’s run to the Elite Eight.

Crum added that a portrait of Davis would be placed at the school’s main entrance and exit.

“When people leave the school,” Crum said, “they will go with the knowledge that you can be whatever you want if you’re willing to work hard for it.”