Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis finishes 2nd in AP Player of the Year voting

Apr 1, 2022 | 3:58 PM

MADISON, Wis. — Despite being named Player of the Year in one of the toughest conferences in the country, Wisconsin Badgers guard Johnny Davis has come up just short in the voting for the Associated Press’ National Player of the Year.

Davis finished second in the voting behind Kentucky big man Oscar Tshiebwe, who received 46 of 60 votes from the voters involved in the AP Top 25 polling. Davis received 10 votes for National Player of the Year, finishing ahead of Iowa’s Keegan Murray (three votes) and Ilinois’ Kofi Cockburn (one vote).

Davis could still win a different National Player of the Year honor, as he was one of four finalists named for the Naismith award, which will name its winner on Sunday, April 3, the day between the Final Four and the national championship game.

Tshiebwe is the first Kentucky player to win National Player of the Year honors since Anthony Davis in 2011-2012. Johnny Davis was hoping to become the first Badger to win the honor since Frank Kaminsky in 2014-2015. Iowa’s Luka Garza won the award last season.

Davis announced Thursday he will be declaring for the NBA draft and hiring an agent, ending his collegiate career after two seasons, averaging 19.7 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game this year.

Tshiebwe averaged 17.4 points per game and led the nation with 15.1 rebounds per game. His 60.6 percent field goal percentage was also among one of the best in the country, as he helped Kentucky earn a 2-seed before they were upset by Cinderella story Saint Peter’s in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.