Rodeo has always been a big part of Karly Davis's life.
The Buffalo, Wyoming native grew up on a ranch where the rodeo lifestyle practically became second nature for her. It wasn't just a hobby she ocassionally did in her downtime—it was a way of life, instilled in her since she can remember.
"Living on a ranch and growing up rodeoing, I've always kind of had to have a strong work ethic," Davis said.
Davis even recently competed in the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR), placing 75th overall in the women's barrel racing event. However, it may have just been the last competitive rodeo event she'll ever compete in as she starts a new chapter in her life—that new chapter being a collegiate basketball player for the University of Wyoming.
"I've made the high school finals and this kind of is the last high school thing for me," Davis said before the event. "It's kind of the last big event for me in rodeo, as well.
"With my horses, that was a little harder to be done with. But, I'll continue the lifestyle in other ways."
While rodeo has undoubtedly been a big part of Davis's life, it didn't quite match the love she has for basketball. When the opportunity to play for her home state arose, Davis certainly wasn't going to let it slip.
"It's a huge privilege," Davis said of the chance to play at UW. "It's a great opportunity and I'm excited to be here. I know it's a lot of a little girl's dream to be able to play for their home state, and I'm just honored to be able to accomplish that."
Still, the lessons and values that rodeo have instilled within her will not be something she forgets anytime soon, as she will carry those lessons she learned and values she attained on the rodeo grounds to the hardwood.
"You have to work hard or you're not going to see results or be where you want to be," Davis said. "I think that carries over into basketball."
Davis's work ethic led her to become Buffalo High School's all-time leading scorer as well as a four-time Wyoming All-State honoree while leading Buffalo to two separate runner-up finishes at the class-3A state tournament.
Those accolades drew the attention of head coach Heather Ezell and her staff, who began recruiting Davis as early as her sophomore year of high school.
"I think the big thing we saw in Karly was just her ability to score. When you put up as many points as she did in high school, no matter what state you're in, I think that's a feat that can't go unnoticed," Ezell said.
Not only was Karly's ability to shoot and score the basketball a big contributing factor towards her recruitment at UW, but her rugged work ethic was as well.
"Her toughness is really what stuck out," Ezell said. "Having her on the few workouts that we've got under our belt so far, we've seen that toughness we saw when recruiting her show out."
While the transition from playing high school basketball in Wyoming to competing in the Mountain West at the Division-I level is a massive step up in competition, Davis is welcoming the challenge with open arms. From there, things will fall into place accordingly—as Davis knows if she puts her head down and works hard, the results will begin to show.
"I just want to keep working hard in practice and learning new things and adapting," Davis said. "However it works out it works out, but just have fun with my team and continue to grow each day."
While Davis knows a lot of hard work will be required of her as she begins her collegiate basketball journey, she isn't going to lose herself in the grind. The opportunity she's earned to compete for her home state and don the Brown and Gold is something she isn't taking for granted—and neither are all the experiences that will come with it.
"Playing in front of the fan base is something that is super cool," Davis said. "Having fun with my teammates and traveling to new places that I haven't been to.
"I'm excited for it all."
