In high school, New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis thought he was going to be a point guard. He had spent years developing his ball-handling skills, worked endlessly to perfect his shooting form and given every indication that he would be recruited at the guard position. 

Though taller than most, Davis had few options when it came to positioning on the court; his height limited him from stretching into the small or power forward spot. But then, as Davis was struggling to separate himself from his competition, something miraculous happened. Davis grew. A lot. He began freshman year standing at a modest six feet. By senior year, he had stretched quite impressively to six feet, 10 inches. 

Davis is still growing today, both physically and metaphorically. At just 22, he is quickly rising to the upper echelon of the National Basketball Association, dazzling fans with his multifaceted skill-set and driving coaches mad with his unstoppable athleticism. While being the best player on a middle-tier team in the Western Conference compromises his case for this year’s MVP award, Davis has steadily proven that he belongs among the league’s elite, and even legendary, performers. 

Born in the south side of Chicago, Davis attended Perspectives Charter School, an institution known almost exclusively for its academic pedigree. Considering Perspectives’ minimal focus on athletics, the team was content playing in a moderately competitive Chicago basketball league. With worse competition came less reason for the media to flock to see Davis trounce his foes. However, once Davis found a groove in local Amateur Athletic Union play, scouts took notice and came crawling. Soon after his emergence on the AAU scene, Davis ascended to No. 1 on Scout.com’s list of the top 100 recruits for 2011. 

Before his senior season, Davis signed a letter of intent to play with the Southeastern Conference powerhouse University of Kentucky Wildcats. In his freshman year at Kentucky, Davis averaged 14.2 points per game, 10.4 rebounds per game and an eye-popping 4.7 blocks per game. Throughout the season, Davis improved his offensive game, proved his worth as an elite rebounder and, most impressively, developed into one of the most intimidating rim-protectors in the country. In the 2012 NCAA Tournament, Davis led the Wildcats to the national championship, defeating the University of Kansas Jayhawks in the title game. Soon after Kentucky’s triumph, Davis—along with the rest of the Wildcats’ starting lineup—declared for the National Basketball Association draft. 

To no one’s surprise, the New Orleans Pelicans selected Davis with the 1st overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. In his rookie season, Davis averaged 13.5 PPG and 8.2 RPG. In his sophomore season, Davis’ per-game statistics took a significant jump, as he ended the year averaging 20.8 PPG and 10 RPG. In this, his third season, Davis has taken his game to unprecedented heights. He currently averages 24.6 PPG, 10.5 RPG and 2.9 BPG for a Pelicans team that is fighting for the eighth and final playoff spot out West. Davis proves on a nightly basis that he is an invaluable asset and has earned the respect he’s garnered as one of the league’s most talented, athletic big men today. With his marketable uni brow and awe-inspiring alley-oops and rejections, Davis has quickly become must-see television. Despite being in just his third season, Davis seems to be figuring the ins and outs of the NBA with ease. 

Right now Davis has positioned his team for a fight with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the eigth and final playoff spot in the Western conference. With nine games left to play, its time for Davis to shine.

—Gabriel Goldstein