March 31, 2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Freshman Anthony Davis received the John R. Wooden Award for National Player of the Year as announced by the Los Angeles Athletic Club on Saturday.

He is the first Wildcat in program history to win the award.

Davis has had one of the most memorable freshman campaigns in national history. He averages a team-leading 14.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game while leading the Wildcats to a 36-2 overall record, its second consecutive Final Four berth, an undefeated Southeastern Conference season and championship.

The Chicago native has logged 175 blocks which is the most in the history of the SEC. He’s also been the driving force in that statistical category in helping the Wildcats break the NCAA all-time mark with a running total of 326 for the season. Davis is eight blocks shy of breaking the all-time NCAA mark for freshmen.

Davis owns freshman records for blocks and rebounds by a Kentucky first-year player. He’s posted 385 total rebounds surpassing DeMarcus Cousins’ record set back in the 2009-10 season. Davis is also one double-double effort shy of breaking the UK record of 20 set by Cousins during the same season.

Davis and the Wildcats will hit the floor in an NCAA semifinal matchup with Louisville at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday.