Anthony Davis: Why Kentucky Star Should Be on Team USA for London 2012

National Player of the Year Anthony Davis should be on the final 12-man squad that represents Team USA basketball at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Davis has been named as one of the 20 finalists who could potentially travel to England this summer, according to Sam Amick of SI.com.

However, director of USA Basketball Jerry Colangelo described Davis as a “long shot” to make the team because of his lack of experience, according to Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald Leader.

Still, Colangelo did not seem entirely closed off to the idea of bringing Davis to the Olympics. He is quoted later in Tipton’s article and said the following:

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We don't have any shortage of scorers. Anthony has a chance to make his mark sooner rather than later just by rebounding, defending, getting up and down the court, being a team player. He doesn't have to score.

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Colangelo made a perfect case for why he should put Davis on the squad, and hopefully he will realize this at some point.

Davis proved that he is an elite shot-blocker in his only year at Kentucky, leading the nation with 4.7 blocks per game. He protects the rim better than any prospect to enter the draft in several years.

His blocking talents rival most NBA players. With Dwight Howard out for the Olympics, the only member of the 20 finalists who can play post defense as well as Davis is Tyson Chandler.

The team is fairly thin in terms of defensive-minded big men, and Davis would fix that problem.

As far as the other qualities Colangelo touched on, Davis excels in these areas as well. 

He averaged 10.4 rebounds per game at Kentucky, and with his 7'3" wingspan, he is a monster on the glass. 

He is also a former guard and is very athletic for his size, so he gets up and down the floor extremely quickly.

And lastly, he is a great team player who led Kentucky to a national championship as a freshman. He showed a nonstop motor throughout the season was always willing to chip in a do the little things in order to get a win.

This was never more evident than in the national championship game, when Davis managed just six points but recorded16 rebounds, five assists, six blocks and three steals.

In fact, his only weakness as a player right now is his offensive game, and that is the area that Team USA needs absolutely no help at all. 

Despite his youth and inexperience, Davis’ defense and rebounding skills are elite, regardless of the competition he is up against. His speed and hustle allow him to get up and down the floor very quickly, and he has been nothing less than an excellent teammate during his basketball career.

He brings exactly what Team USA needs, and there is no reason he shouldn’t be on the final squad for London 2012.