March 19, 2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis has been named a finalist for Naismith Trophy for Men’s College Player of the Year presented by AT&T the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced.

Davis, who is looking to become the first Wildcat to win the award, is averaging 14.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game en route to leading the Wildcats to a third-straight Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament and a perfect 16-0 record in Southeastern Conference regular season action.

He has started all 36 games this season while shooting 63.6 percent from the field, which ranks as the third best in the nation. Davis also leads the nation in blocks (166). In 30 of the Wildcats’ 36 games, he has scored in double figures while recording 18 double-doubles. The 18 double-double efforts rank as the second-highest total in a single season by a UK freshman.

The other three finalists for the award are Kansas junior Thomas Robinson, Michigan State senior Draymond Green and Creighton sophomore Doug McDermott.

Beginning March 19, AT&T wireless customers – and sports fans on other wireless networks – will be able to text their votes for the player of their choice by texting VOTE to 34763. Fans will be eligible to cast their vote for the winner until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Saturday, March 31, 2012.

The finalists were voted on by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s National Voting Academy, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. The academy based its criteria on player performances this season.

The winner will be announced at the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Guardians of the Game award program April 1 during the Final Four in New Orleans.