Kentucky's Anthony Davis named first team AP All-American

Anthony Davis continues to add awards to his University of Kentucky resume.

He had already won the 2012 Adolph Rupp Award, annually presented to the national player of the year, been named the United States Basketball Writers Association player of the year before adding two more prestigious honors Monday. He was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press and also named to the John R. Wooden All-American team.

“It means a lot, especially for a freshman,” Davis told the AP. “I thought I would just come in here and hit a couple of shots, block a couple of shots, get a couple of dunks. I never thought I would be this successful in college.”

Instead, he leads the nation in blocked shots (175) and has helped UK break the single-season block record with 326. He is averaging 14.3 points, 10 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 64.2 percent from the field. He was named Southeastern Conference player of the year as well as defensive player of the year.

“My teammates have been doing a great job of giving me the ball,” Davis told the AP. “And basically, all the teams that were driving inside, giving me a chance to get blocks. We’re just out there having fun.”

Thomas Robinson of Kansas was a unanimous choice on the AP team. Davis gave 63 of 65 votes, Draymond Green of Michigan State 30, Jared Sullinger of Ohio State 30 and Doug McDermott of Creighton 29.

Davis said after Sunday’s win over Baylor that put UK¿into the Final Four that he appreciates winning awards, but that’s not his focus.

“I want to leave it all on the court,” Davis said. “I am not holding anything back. I enjoy the awards, but I don’t lose the focus of our main goal — a national championship. I would say anything less than a national championship is a failure. That is one of our goals. We are two games away. We got Louisville and we’ve got to focus on that, not awards.”

To be on the Wooden Award team, players must have at least a 2.0 grade-point average and making progress toward graduation. The Wooden Award is unique among college postseason awards because voters could consider performance during the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament while voting for other awards is done before NCAA play starts.

The Wooden Award winner will be announced Saturday on ESPN at the Final Four in New Orleans.

Davis will receive the Rupp Award Thursday during a ceremony in New Orleans.

But Davis insisted Sunday that the only trophy he really wants is the national championship trophy.

“We are not going to stop here. It’s great to reach the Final Four, but it will be greater to win the national championship. That will be the best feeling in the world,” Davis said.

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Kentucky coach John Calipari said Monday that Davis has no lingering effects from injuring his knee during the second of Sunday’s win. Associate coach John Robic said the same thing on Calipari’s weekly radio show Monday night.