4. Anthony Davis, Kentucky, 2011-2012
Our fifth and final Wildcat on the countdown, Anthony Davis is in the elite tier of the one-and-dones. Davis’ one year of college ball came at Kentucky, where he was part of a dominant freshman class that helped the Wildcats cut down the nets in New Orleans in 2012.
Those Wildcats were a really special team, and Davis was the most talented player on that roster by far. Davis averaged a double-double, recording 14.2 ppg and 10.4 rebounds per game, but he was dominant on the defensive end by blocking an absurd 4.7 shots per night.
The accolades rolled in like hot cakes for Davis, who was named the AP’s Player of the Year, first-team All-American, Wooden Award winner, Naismith Award winner, and the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Davis was a generational type talent in that June’s draft, where he went first overall to New Orleans.
The reason that Davis is only ranked fourth on our list despite all of his college accolades is that he hasn’t become a true franchise player as he could be. Part of the problem is the Pelicans’ complete ineptitude at surrounding him with talent, but Davis’ skill set isn’t as great a fit in the modern NBA, which has become extremely perimeter oriented.
Davis has requested a trade from New Orleans, which is expected to shop him over the summer. In an offseason where a lot of big talents (including several from this list) are expected to be on the move, Davis’ new home could become a top championship contender.