by Alex Schwartz

Anthony Davis '11 of Perspectives Charter (IL) has taken his name off the board, making a verbal commitment to Kentucky, according to multiple media outlets. Davis, a 6'9 power forward, was ranked #6 in the NBE Class of 2011 Pre-Live Period Top 100, but will move up even higher when our post-summer top 150 comes out.

Davis was the story of the spring and summer. He came from complete obscurity to be one of the most coveted recruits in the class of 2011 and regarded by most, including yours truly, as the best long-term prospect in the crop of rising seniors. He was barely even known by people in the Chicago area, as he was merely a 6'3 guard, before growing six inches and turning into the big-time prospect that he is today.

The Windy City superstar has gone through one of the biggest blow ups between junior high school season and senior high school year in memory. Some have said it is reminiscent of the way Tracy McGrady blew up, but it could be even bigger considering all of the media coverage there is now and the fact that Davis was truly an unknown even locally as recent as March.

Davis had just one high-major offer, from Syracuse, entering the spring and turned it into interest from just about every big-time program in the nation. He cut his list down to Kentucky, Ohio State, and Syracuse before the July Live Evaluation Period began.

North Carolina did its best to get involved, but could not. DePaul was able to get a visit, but it was not enough. In the end, Kentucky landed the skilled soon-to-be senior. Ohio State was the leader for Davis back at NBPA Top 100 Camp (he was named Most Outstanding Prospect), DePaul got the last visit, and Syracuse—who did not get a visit—was the first major school to offer, but the Wildcats won out.

There was some major controversy around Davis' decision. Ten days ago, his father told Scout that they had made their decision and were waiting to announce it. A few days later, an article on the Chicago Sun-Times website said that Davis was headed to Kentucky and that the Wildcats were rumored to have paid $200,000 for his commitment, sparking major criticism of the newspaper. While the article was removed, the Sun-Time did not withdraw its claims, controversy loomed, Davis' father denied allegations and threatened to sue, Kentucky sent the newspaper a letter, and there was much hubbub.

At the end of the day, regardless of the controversy and such, the fact remains that Anthony Davis has committed to the Kentucky Wildcats. This is a major coup for John Calipari and Co., who continue to load up on elite talent in Lexington.

In 2009, Calipari brought in the top recruiting class in the nation—and one of the best ever—in John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Daniel Orton, Eric Bledsoe, Jon Hood, and Darnell Dodson. The first four would join Patrick Patterson as five Wildcats to be selected in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft, with Wall going number one, Cousins going fifth, and Patterson being a lottery pick. Before that, the Wildcats were ranked number one for a portion of the year, won the SEC regular season, the SEC Tournament, and made the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

Kentucky's haul in 2010 was again the best in the country. The Wildcats landed three players in the top eight of Northstar Basketball's Class of 2010 Terrific 125 in #3 Brandon Knight, #6 Enes Kanter, and #8 Terrence Jones. In addition, UK got another in the top 15 (#14 Doron Lamb), another just outside the top 25 (#26 Stacey Poole), and a big-time JuCo transfer (Eloy Vargas). Despite losing so much talent from the 09-10 squad, the Wildcats should again be a great squad in 10-11 due to the great talent coming in.

Now, it appears that Kentucky will have the top class in 2011, making it three for three in Calipari's years in Lexington. He already had commitments from the best player in the nation, 6'7 small forward Michael Gilchrist of St. Patrick's (NJ), and the best point guard in the nation, 6'1 Marquis Teague of Pike (IN). Now the top power forward in the nation will join Big Blue Nation as well.

There are six player in the class of 2011 who have separated themselves from the pack. They are, in no order, Gilchrist, Davis, Teague, SG Austin Rivers of Winter Park (FL), SF Quincy Miller of Westchester Country Day (NC), and SG Brad Beal of Chaminade (MO). Thus, half of the truly elite level players in the country are headed to Kentucky.

Of those six, four of them—Beal (Florida), Davis, Gilchrist, and Teague—are committed, meaning that three of the top four committed players in the country are headed to Kentucky together. The Wildcats are also considered contenders for Miller and sleepers for Rivers, so this class could add another elite player, though it is a longshot. Kentucky is involved with numerous other superb players, including power forwards Johnny O'Bryant of East Side (MS) and Chane Behanan of Bowling Green (KY).

Just how great this Kentucky class ends up being remains to be seen, but it would be a shock if it is not the top class in the country. Generally that is the case when three players ranked number one at their position are committed to the same school.

Anthony Davis is the most recent top-notch player to join the fold for Kentucky, and he will continue to his meteoric rise to stardom in Lexington next fall.

Note- photo of Davis is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/; Kentucky logo is from http://www.genuinekentucky.com/