Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis, two towering figures who left an indelible mark during their collegiate stints at Kentucky, have now ascended to the NBA’s prestigious All-Defense First Team, as unveiled by the league on Tuesday.
Adebayo, often lauded as a defensive stalwart, earns his inaugural first-team accolade in the 2023-24 season, following four consecutive appearances on the second team. Meanwhile, Davis adds another feather to his cap by securing his third first-team berth in the NBA, marking his fifth inclusion in the esteemed All-Defense roster.
In a dazzling display of athleticism and tenacity, Adebayo notched career-best averages of 10.4 rebounds per game, with 8.1 stemming from the defensive end, during his 71 appearances for the Miami Heat this season. Additionally, he showcased his defensive prowess with a formidable tally of 81 steals (1.1 per game) and 66 blocks (0.9 per game).
A true two-way force, Adebayo concluded the regular season with an impressive offensive output, averaging 19.3 points per game on a stellar 52.1 percent shooting, while also dishing out 3.9 assists per contest. His stellar performance earned him a third NBA All-Star nod in his illustrious seven-year NBA tenure, propelling the Heat to their fifth consecutive playoff berth.
Renowned for his defensive acumen, Adebayo has consistently been in the conversation for the league’s top defender, evidenced by his consistent top-five finishes in Defensive Player of the Year voting over the past five seasons, culminating in a career-best third place finish in 2023-24.
During his collegiate stint with the Wildcats, Adebayo emerged as a cornerstone player, starting all 38 games for the 2016-17 squad that clinched the Southeastern Conference Tournament and made a memorable run to the Elite Eight. His standout performance earned him accolades as an All-SEC Second Team member and All-SEC Freshman Team honoree, averaging 13.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game before being selected as the 14th overall pick by the Heat in the 2017 NBA draft.
Accompanying Adebayo on the NBA All-Defensive Team is Davis, now in his 12th season in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers’ formidable center enjoyed a career-best season in 2023-24, ranking third in the league in total rebounds per game (12.6) and second in defensive rebounds per game (9.5). Additionally, he showcased his shot-blocking prowess by finishing fourth in both total blocks (178) and blocks per game (2.3), while also contributing 1.2 steals per contest.
Despite his defensive prowess, Davis was equally impactful on the offensive end, averaging 24.7 points per game, the 15th highest in the NBA, while boasting an impressive 55.6 percent shooting efficiency from the field.
Throughout his illustrious NBA career, Davis has amassed numerous accolades, including nine NBA All-Star selections, four All-NBA First Team honors, an NBA Championship in 2020, and the MVP of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game. His collegiate tenure at Kentucky was equally impressive, culminating in a national championship victory in 2012, where he was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player and the National Player of the Year.
Kentucky’s basketball program continues to be a breeding ground for NBA talent, boasting the highest number of alumni on NBA opening day rosters for the 12th consecutive year in the 2023-24 season. Furthermore, the Wildcats dominated the NBA Playoffs with 22 representatives, and at the 2024 NBA All-Star game, they made history with a record-breaking seven players earning All-Star nods.
The 2023-24 NBA season has been a remarkable one for Kentucky, with Adebayo and Davis leading the charge on the All-Defensive Team, Karl-Anthony Towns receiving the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award, Tyrese Maxey being named the KIA NBA Most Improved Player and winning the NBA’s Sportsmanship Award, and Cason Wallace securing a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
