Davis is Kentucky's new kid on the block

Anthony Davis speaks in a laid-back monotone, full of Tebow-esque politeness and with nothing but nice things to say about the other future first-round NBA draft picks on the Kentucky basketball team.

But every once in a while, the 6-10 freshman throws in a sly zinger, perhaps just to see whether reporters are paying attention, perhaps to remind everyone of the shot-blocking menace beneath the placid exterior.

Take Saturday, when he was asked whether his National Player of the Year stature has come as a surprise to him. He said it had, adding: "I thought I was just going to block a couple of shots, get a couple of dunks. I never thought I'd be this successful in college.''

Then he remembered to thank his teammates for their part in it. Then this: "And thanks to all the teams that are driving inside, giving me a chance to block shots.''

Davis failed to keep a straight face as the line drew a laugh from reporters at the Georgia Dome, where the next day Kentucky would advance to the Final Four against Louisville. But that is part of Davis' charm as he navigates a relatively recent rise to stardom. Unlike many of his peers, he did not grow up in the spotlight, having had a late growth spurt and having played for a low-profile Chicago high school.

It wasn't until last season that he began to draw national attention, and it wasn't until midway through this season that he sensed opponents catching on to the perils of attacking him.

"Guys figured out, 'OK, we have to change up our game plan,' " he said. "Guys aren't driving the ball as much. They'll come in and try to shoot a floater or pass to a guy for a three. But I still get some guys coming in there.''

Enough so that Davis has 175 blocks, more than doubling Andre Riddick's previous school record of 83 in 1993-94. He needs eight more to match the national freshman record set by Marshall's Hassan Whiteside two years ago.

Davis said the most important shot-blocking insight he has gained came from John Calipari, who suggested that he be more patient.

"Coach Cal told me to block it when it leaves [the shooter's] hand because it makes it a lot easier and you won't pick up fouls that way,'' he said. It's a technique made easier by an imposing wingspan accentuated by a spindly, 220-pound frame.

Davis said his pro role model is Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka. "He's a great shot blocker,'' Davis said. "It's very hard for guys to block shots in the NBA because the guys are so talented, and I think he does a great job of it.''

By autumn, Davis very likely will have the chance to see if he can do it in the NBA as the latest of Calipari's one-and-done pros, perhaps as the No. 1 overall pick. But for now, terrorizing collegians is enough.

There is more to Davis' game than blocks. His 19 double-doubles are second in Kentucky freshman history only to DeMarcus Cousins' 20 two years ago, and his 384 rebounds broke Cousins' school freshman mark of 374.

And there is more to Davis than basketball. He said his off-court passion is drawing. Drawing what?

"Everything,'' he said. "Whatever pops into my head; I draw a lot of cartoon characters.''

He also has designed prospective tattoos for teammates. The hobby distracts him from the pressures of newfound fame.

"When you're drawing, you really don't think about anything but what you're doing,'' he said. "It gets your mind off everything, gets you in a calmer mind-set and you just relax.''

Such is the attention on Davis in Kentucky that his prominent eyebrows have spawned a mini-industry of "Fear the Brow'' merchandise. Isn't poking fun at a 19-year-old's physical characteristic dangerous territory?

"It doesn't bother me at all,'' he said. "I kind of embrace it. They're showing support, with a lot of signs, posters, T-shirts. I just love it all.''