Anthony Davis: Breaking Down Wooden Award Winner's NBA Potential

The unibrow has a national championship under his belt, and he'll likely be a top three pick in the NBA draft. Anthony Davis hasn't officially declared, but most considered him in, even if the Wildcats had not won a national championship.

After Kentucky cut down the nets in NOLA, the chances of Davis coming back to Lexington got even more unlikely.

NBA scouts know he can block shots, and that he has above average athleticism, but there are other positives with Davis—as well as some negatives.

Size

Davis is about 6'9" or 6'10, but the length of his arms allows him to play like a seven footer. Thus, the 4.6 blocks per game in 2011 and the countless alley-oop finishes.

Though he plays center in college, he is a power forward in the NBA.

While he has tremendous length, in a word, Davis is—skinny.

He is only 19, so he has time to add bulk and I believe he will, but the slight frame will be his biggest impediment as an NBA rookie.

Once he adds bulk, he'll be able to hold his base better while defending on the block.

He'll also be able to stay on his course while driving the ball against a physical defender.

Athleticism

He is quick for a big, with decent ups, but again, the length of his arms aid him in this category. He doesn't have to jump as high, or even move as fast.

His length closes space on defense and it places the ball out of the reach of most defenders on offense. He also rebounds primarily with length and athleticism at this point. That works in college, but he'll need more weight and technique to be as effective on the glass in the NBA.

Right now, he has the ability to beat most bigs down the floor, but that could change as he adds the necessary weight. Even then, he'll be a solid athlete at the 4.

Handle and Passing

Davis has good handle for a big, and that comes from the seven inch growth spurt he had in 2010. He still has some of the traits he had as a 6'4" player, and that adds some versatility.

He is still getting comfortable with his body, and as he adds weight, it could all come together. This is the most crucial area in deciding how great Davis will be.

If he is able to harness that ball-handling ability and become a solid threat off the dribble—now you've got something special.

He is a willing passer, especially on the interior, and that is an underrated skill for big men. He will learn to make better decisions, but he is very unselfish, as all the Wildcats were this season.

Shooting

Davis has good shooting form, but he still needs to work on his shot. He took 20 three-pointers this season and made only three. I'm not sure I'd advise him to extend his range out that far, but 17 feet would be awesome for him.

He shot 62 percent from the field this season, but understand, much of that was dunks, tip-ins, etc. He won't get as many easy shots in the NBA. That is why the handle and jump shot will be so important to his game.

What is great for him is that he shoots 71 percent from the line. It shows he has the makings of a touch, and that he isn't a liability from the stripe.

Instincts

Davis has marvelous instincts. To me, instincts and timing are as much a part of being a great shot blocker as length and leaping ability. Davis is so great, because he has all of those things.

His instincts show themselves in more areas than just shot blocking. It comes out when he passes the ball and when he attacks the rim. He needs to mature, learn how to develop, and get to his money spots on the floor, but with hard work, it'll come.

Outlook

Davis will not be a bust, but I'm not sure he'll be a superstar either. He needs to be more of an offensive force to turn the corner from being just a solid defender/rebounder into a complete star.

Being able to put in on the floor, as well as knock down a mid-range jump shot, is key in that.

Here is my NBA player, past or present comparison for Davis:

Worse Case Scenario - Thurl Bailey

Best Case Scenario - Larry Nance

Likely Scenario - Marcus Camby