by Michael Marot
The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — Glen Davis’ nickname doesn’t even fit anymore. In three months, college basketball’s “Big Baby” has dropped nearly 45 pounds, gotten himself into better shape and has improved his quickness and agility.
Meet the new and improved Slim Baby.
“I’m just eating healthier, but it’s tough especially for a college student,” he said. “It’s not like I eat crazy, it’s just really, really difficult when you stay up late and do all that college stuff.”
Davis earned his nickname partly because of his unique combination of massive size and genteel demeanor. While the fun-loving Davis hasn’t changed his personality that sometimes borders on comic relief, he has certainly changed his look.
A year ago, Davis measured in at 6-foot-9 and a generously listed 310 pounds, but the extra padding rarely affected Davis’ play.
He averaged 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds, becoming the first SEC player to win both titles in the same season since Shaquille O’Neal in 1991. He was chosen conference player of the year, earned second team All-America honors and led the Tigers to their first Final Four in two decades.
But a dreadful performance against UCLA in the national semifinals forced Davis to make some reassessments. After shooting 5-of-17 from the floor and spending much of the night trying to catch his breath against the Bruins, Davis opted for a change.
Pizza was out, salad was in. Or something like that.
When he returned this week to Indy — the site of his Final Four implosion — as a counselor at the Nike All-America Camp, Davis looked so svelte he was almost unrecognizable.
“When I got here, he was the first guy I saw, and I couldn’t believe it,” Florida forward Al Horford said. “He’s been getting after it. Every time I see him, he gets trimmer and trimmer.”
The results on the court have been noticeable.
Davis said he feels like he’s in better shape and those who play against him have seen changes, too.
“He’s always been quick, but when you lose weight, you get quicker,” said Horford, also a counselor at the camp that ended Sunday. “He’s gotten quicker.”
If the SEC’s post players thought Davis was tough to defend last season, imagine having to contend with this year’s more athletic version.
But Davis still sees room for improvement, which is why he decided to stay in school rather than jump to the NBA like teammate Tyrus Thomas.
Davis has spent the past five days working on post moves against some of the nation’s most talented college players and delivered the same kind of dominating performances that cast him into the national spotlight last season.
Among the players he’s faced here are four players from the Gators national championship team — Horford, forward Chris Richard and guards Taurean Green and Corey Brewer.
Others include Georgetown’s Roy Hibbert, Charles Thomas of Arkansas, Julian Wright of Kansas and D.J. White of Indiana. Davis has done more than hold his own in front of NBA scouts who routinely watch.
Can it help improve his image with the pros?
Consider that last year’s camp counselors included LaMarcus Aldridge, Adam Morrison, Shelden Williams and Rudy Gay — four of the top eight picks in this year’s draft. So everyone is aware they’re on center stage.
“We know the scouts are around,” Green said. “But you still have to come out and play your game. If you try to do too much, you look bad.”
And in his slimmer body, Davis looks even more imposing inside since he hasn’t lost the ability to outmuscle opponents inside.
But Davis expects to do even more before the season begins.
By sticking to the diet this fall, Davis hopes to turn himself into the nation’s top post player and turn the Tigers into a national championship contender again — even without Thomas.
Yes, Davis thinks it’s the perfect recipe for success in college and the NBA.
“I want to go into the NBA with experience, basically grown up,” he said. “I don’t want to sit for a couple of years. For now, I just want to establish myself in college basketball and win a national championship. It’s all about winning.”