Dancing with a 6-foot-9 star
LSU men's basketball star Glen "Big Baby" Davis traded in basketball sneakers for dancing shoes Saturday night at LSU's Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Glen Davis and 16 other Baton Rouge area celebrities -- including Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden -- performed for more than 1,550 fans at Big Buddy's "Dancing with the Stars" program. The local charity is dedicated to improving Baton Rouge youth programs and mentoring.
Although Glen Davis did not win the championship trophy, his swing-dancing routine elicited laughter and cheers from the crowd. Glen Davis said he felt more nervousness than he has ever experienced before a basketball game.
"It's just a different element," Glen Davis said.
Glen Davis' appearance was his last in the PMAC, as the junior forward announced in March he would forgo his senior season to enter the NBA draft.
"It feels good to go out with a bang," he said.
Glen Davis' partner, Christine Negulescu of Mid City Dance Project, said she has taught dance for more than 10 years but never danced with someone of Glen Davis' 6-foot-9-inch, 300-pound size.
"My first thought was - I better order some very high heels," Negulescu said of her 5-foot-4-inch stature.
Negulescu said they only had three practices to learn the complex moves, which included Glen Davis flipping her over his arm.
One of the judges joked Negulescu was "like a little basketball" in Glen Davis' hands.
Glen Davis' mentor and former LSU basketball player Collis Temple Jr. said he attended the event to support Glen Davis and Mayor-President Holden.
"I remember when Glen was in the sixth grade, and we took basketball trips in a van," Temple said. "He would rock the van with his dancing."
Temple said he admired Glen Davis' courage for stepping out of his comfort zone.
"For someone to have that kind of nerve, it's great," Temple said.
Read more at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com
