Anthony Davis Naismith Player of the Year: Freshman Star Becomes First UK Player to Win Naismith Trophy
Kentucky star freshman Anthony Davis has become one of the most decorated players in college basketball history when it comes to racking up awards.
Nearly completing a sweep of every major NCAA basketball accolade, Kentucky’s frosh phenom was named the 2012 Naismith Trophy recipient as the national player of the year on Monday.
“Wow, this truly is an honor to win the Naismith award as a freshman,” Davis said Sunday at the NABC Guardians of the Game Awards Show. “It’s great. The other three finalists are great players, had tremendous seasons. I have to go against one of them (Kansas’ Thomas Robinson) tomorrow night. It’s going to be a big challenge. It’s a great honor and I just was to thank God, family, friends, coaches and all the people who helped me get this award, and all the fans.”
With the Naismith now in hand, Davis has won six of the seven major National Player of the Year awards – the others being the Adolph Rupp Trophy, USBWA, Basketball Times, Associated Press POY, and the Wooden award.
Davis – who averages a team-leading 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds, a nation-best 4.6 blocks, all while leading the Wildcats to a 36-2 overall record – is the first player from Kentucky – and only the second freshman after Kevin Durant in 2007 – to win the Naismith award.
Anthony Davis and the Wildcats are scheduled to face off against the Kansas Jayhawks for the 2012 NCAA championship game tonight (April 2) at 9:23pm EST. More on that match-up below:
Sports fans tell us: Do you think Anthony Davis is the best freshman to ever play for the Kentucky Wildcats? Do you expect him to stick around another year in the NCAA or will he jump straight to the NBA?
via CoachCal.com
