Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist named Naismith award finalists
February 29, 2012
Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist were named among 30 finalists for the Naismith National Player of the Year Award.
Davis is considered one of the favorites. He’s averaging 14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.8 blocks per game. Head coach John Calipari is in his corner for him to win player of the year awards.
Calipari admitted he is biased and said there are plenty of other worthy candidates, but pointed out that Davis is not racking up the raw numbers (he averages 4.4 fewer shots per game than Kansas’ Thomas Robinson) yet “probably has more of an impact on any of these games. And that’s not taking away anything from anybody else because, you know, those other guys are just as deserving. He has had a special year.”
Kidd-Gilchrist is averaging 12 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
UK is one of four schools (North Carolina, Missouri, Syracuse) to have two players on the list.
The full roster of finalists.
Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
Will Barton, Memphis
Kenny Boynton, Florida
Isaiah Canaan, Murray State
Anthony Davis, Kentucky
Matthew Dellavedova, St. Mary’s
Marcus Denmon, Missouri
Draymond Green, Michigan State
John Henson, North Carolina
John Jenkins, Vanderbilt
Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette
Kevin Jones, West Virginia
Perry Jones III, Baylor
Kris Joseph, Syracuse
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky
Damian Lillard, Weber State
Scott Machado, Iona
Doug McDermott, Creighton
Dominique Morrison, Oral Roberts
Mike, Moser, UNLV
Arnett, Moultrie Mississippi State
Phil Pressey, Missouri
Thomas Robinson, Kansas
Mike Scott, Virginia
Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin
Dion Waiters, Syracuse
Royce White, Iowa State
Tony Wroten, Washington
Cody Zeller, Indiana
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