By Aaron Smith

Anthony Davis won the Oscar Robertson Trophy, given to the national player of the year by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Davis, who averages 14.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks, is the first UK player to win and the second freshman (Kevin Durant) to win in the 53-year history of the award.

“Anthony Davis made an immediate and dramatic impact on college basketball,” said USBWA President Lenox Rawlings of the Winston-Salem Journal in a press release. “He has many skills, most obvious among them his ability to block and alter shots. Davis’ dominance inside solidified Kentucky as a national title contender and brought Bill Russell back into the dialogue, shining light on the vital half of the game that people often ignore.”

Davis will receive the award on March 30, in conjunction with the Final Four, in New Orleans.

UPDATE: UK released quotes from Davis on winning the award:

“It means a lot to me to win this award,” Davis said. “To win the award is very touching and a big accomplishment, but all the thanks goes to my team, because without them I wouldn’t have received these awards.

“The recognition is nice, but I want to win the biggest award of them all and that’s the national championship. I have to stay humble and keep working.”

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