NEW ORLEANS — Anthony Davis was named The Associated Press’ college basketball Player of the Year, the first Kentucky player and second freshman to win the award.
Davis received 43 votes Friday from the 65-member national media panel that selects the weekly Top 25. Balloting was done before the NCAA tournament.
“The season has been great so far,” Davis said Thursday before the award was announced. “Coach Cal has told us ‘win or lose, we have had an awesome season.’ I love our team, we have accomplished many goals and we still have one goal to accomplish, winning a national title.”
The 6-foot-10 player from Chicago is the Southeastern Conference’s Player, Freshman and Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 14.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.6 blocks while shooting 64.2 percent. His block total is a school record and third best for a freshman.
Kevin Durant of Texas in 2007 is the only other freshman to win the award.
Thomas Robinson of Kansas was second with 20 votes, and Draymond Green of Michigan State received the other two votes.
Jimmer Fredette of BYU won the award last season.
AP ALL-AMERICA TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
Anthony Davis, Kentucky
Draymond Green, Michigan St.
Doug McDermott, Creighton
Thomas Robinson, Kansas
Jared Sullinger, Ohio St.
SECOND TEAM
Isaiah Canaan, Murray St.
Jae Crowder, Marquette
Marcus Denmon, Missouri
Kevin Jones, West Virginia
Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
THIRD TEAM
John Jenkins, Vanderbilt,
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky
Damian Lillard, Weber St.
Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas
(The AP contributed)
