March 12, 2012

ST LOUIS – Freshmen Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchristwere honored as United States Basketball Writers Association first and second team All-America selections, respectively, it was announced Monday.

Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist are two of just 10 players honored by the Association, and form the only pair of teammates awarded. Furthermore, they represent the only first-year players chosen as All-America honorees.

Davis leads the Wildcats with 14.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while totaling 17 double-double efforts on the season. His 157 total blocks on the season rank as Kentucky’s all-time single-season mark as well as the Southeastern Conference’s freshman record.

Kidd-Gilchrist averages 11.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as UK’s do-everything performer and defensive specialist. He has logged six double-double efforts this season with three coming against top-10 ranked opponents and three on the road.

As a member of the first-team Davis is among the Oscar Robertson Trophy finalists. The USBWA’s National Player of the Year Award, as well as the Henry Iba Award, presented to the National Coach of the Year, will be announced next Monday, March 19.

Both prestigious awards will be formally presented on Friday, March 30, at the 2012 USBWA College Basketball Awards Breakfast at the New Orleans Marriott in conjunction with the NCAA Men’s Final Four.

On Tuesday, the USBWA will announce the winner of the Wayman Tisdale Award to be presented to the national freshman of the year. Both Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist are among the finalists for the honor.

Kentucky will return to action in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 15 at 6:50 p.m. ET. UK will face the winner of the Mississippi Valley State and Western Kentucky first-round game.