NBA Draft 2012: Anthony Davis Leads Kentucky Stars Taking Talents to NBA

Anthony Davis has finally ended the charade and confirmed that he will be leaving Kentucky and declaring his eligibility for the 2012 NBA draft, according to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv.

UPDATE: Monday, April 16 at 4:30 p.m. EST

The Kentucky players are expected to announce their decisions tomorrow at a press conference, according to KentuckySportsRadio.com's Matt Jones.

"

All five UK players will announcer their decision at a press conference tomorrow

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) April 16, 2012"

This doesn’t come as a surprise, and it’s a lock that the star center will be the No. 1 overall pick in late June. He averaged 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.7 blocks, 1.4 steals and 1.3 assists during his one incredible season with UK.

Davis isn’t the only member of the Wildcats that has decided to take his talents to the pros.

Sophomore Terrence Jones and freshman Marquis Teague are also reportedly committed to the draft, while freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and sophomore Doron Lamb are widely expected to make the same choice in the coming days.

Hopeful draftees that do not automatically qualify for the event have until April 29 to notify the league office that they intend to hire an agent and end their collegiate eligibility.

It makes sense that these talented young prospects are deciding to come out of college, as they won the 2012 NCAA tournament and brought a national title home under coach John Calipari.

There is nothing left for them to accomplish at this level of basketball, and they should be looking for a new challenge—along with a big paycheck—this June when they get selected by an NBA franchise.

Even after losing all of these great players, Kentucky fans have nothing to worry about. They have No. 1 recruit Nerlens Noel on his way to Lexington and more than ready to assume Davis’ job as shot-blocking extraordinaire and a fearsome defensive presence.

It was an epic season for Davis and the rest of the Wildcats and one that would be hard to replicate.

Which is exactly why it's a wise call for the superstar center and his teammates to turn professional and advance their game to the next level.