With the 1st pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, the Hornets selected forward Anthony Davis from the University of Kentucky. Davis becomes the Hornets' second top-overall selection (Larry Johnson, 1991), 12th Lottery pick and 24th first-round selection in the NBA Draft in franchise history.
"We're thrilled to welcome Anthony to the Hornets family," said General Manager Dell Demps. "Anthony is an incredible person and very talented basketball player. We look forward to him being a part of the sustained success of our franchise on and off the court going forward."
"I'm excited about having the chance to work with Anthony," said Hornets Head Coach Monty Williams. "We have added an incredibly talented, athletic big man with great length who is also a proven winner. In getting to know him, he's also a high-character kid and someone I look forward to helping develop further."
"The first thing I said after the Lottery was ‘it would be great to win another championship in New Orleans.' It's a great city,' said Davis. "Monty is a great coach who has played in the league and will tell you how it is. He has given me some great advice and I can't wait to get out on the court with him."
In his only collegiate season, Davis (6-10, 220) won six of the seven major National Player of the Year awards, getting the nod from the AP, USBWA and Basketball Times, and capturing the Wooden, Adolph Rupp and Naismith awards. Additionally, the Chicago, Il. Native was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading Kentucky to national title in New Orleans.
The 19-year-old led the nation in blocks (4.65 bpg) as a freshman, while leading his team in scoring (14.2 ppg), rebounding (10.4 rpg) and field goal percentage (.623). Davis broke school and SEC records as well as the NCAA freshman record for blocks in a season (186). He finished the season with 20 double-doubles, tops in the SEC and tied for the UK freshman record en route to being named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year, First Team All-SEC, SEC All-Freshman Team and SEC All-Defensive Team.
The Hornets also pick 10th and 46th in tonight's draft, marking the first time in franchise history the Hornets have held two Lottery selections in the same draft. The last time the Hornets had three picks in the same draft was in 2006 (12th, 15th and 43rd).