Palisades Podcast Welcomes Paul Davis as July Guest

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The July edition of Palisades Podcast, hosted by longtime community members Maryam Zar and Steve Cron, will feature Paul Davis.

Born in Crenshaw, Davis attended Palisades Charter High School, where he led the basketball team to victory—just weeks after having been shot, Zar explained.

“When I was shot at the age of 16 it opened my eyes and gave me a different perspective on life,” Davis told the Palisadian-Post in an interview with Sports Editor Steve Galluzzo earlier this year. “I think about it every day and have therapy once a week to address the trauma I went through as a child. It would take a book, a movie and a documentary to delve into the stories embedded in my fragile mind. I’ve had bad moments and good since then.”

He later became the junior varsity couch and, eventually, a celebrated coach and mentor in the community for more than 100 area kids who he trains through a program called “Humble.”

“We have 110 players in our program and over 200 kids who participate in private and group training as well as kids from all over who attend our seasonal camps,” Davis said. “Our mission is to develop youth from all over into successful student-athletes as well as wholesome, well-rounded members of society. Enhancing individual confidence and morals, teaching basketball fundamentals and coaching with profuse positivity, clear instruction and a team approach is what we’re about.”

Today, Davis lives in the Palisades with his three sons.

“Coach PD gives the kids in his program more than just ball handling skills,” Zar shared ahead of the episode. “He teaches them motivation, playing from the heart, trying till you fail so many times you can’t help but succeed, staying true, giving it your all, winning proud, losing with their head held high … and—being humble.”

She invites Palisadians to tune into this month’s edition of the podcast to hear Davis share his story in his own words.

The Post has partnered with Zar and Cron to present the Palisades Podcast. Each month, we will bring you an interview, hosted by Zar and Cron, highlighting extraordinary lives of community members you might not otherwise have a chance to meet.

Previous guests include Anne Kerr-Adams, LAPD Captain Jonathan Tom, Steve Soboroff, Nick Melvoin and Councilmember Mike Bonin.

To listen to this episode of Palisades Podcast and more, visit palipost.com/palipodcast.