By ROBIN FAMBROUGH

Written for the LSWA

All the skeptics thought Glen Davis was crazy to turn his back on football a month before his senior season at Baton Rouge's University High School.

The 6-foot-8 Davis had the size to be a defensive lineman, an offensive lineman or a tight end. The skeptics and recruiting analysts didn't realize Davis was simply turning his full attention to the sport he loved the most: basketball.

After leading U-High to its second Class 2A state basketball title in three years and earning Parade All-American honors, few people would dare call Davis crazy. Now they can call him Mr. Basketball.

Davis is the Louisiana Sports Writers Association's choice for its most prestigious award, the 2004 Farm Bureau/Mr. Basketball award given each year to the state's top player. The award caps a postseason full of honors, including Parade All-American recognition, for Davis, an LSU signee.

"I just had it on my mind that basketball was my love," Davis said. "After I made the decision to just play basketball everybody said I was crazy. So I made up my mind to prove them wrong.

"Every single day I came out determined to work harder. I ran, I lifted weights and I was always shooting. It was just me out there, nobody else. The love of the game also motivated me. I couldn't see myself doing anything else."

Those solitary workouts turned out to be good for more than just Davis' soul. Davis lost nearly 30 pounds through the process and started the season at a surprisingly mobile weight of 325 pounds.

That trademark nickname, "Big Baby," stuck with Davis even though his game - both physically and mentally - was much more mature.

Davis averaged 26.3 points and 14.3 rebounds per game to help the Cubs build a 35-2 record on their way to the 2A title.

"I could see a change in Glen the very first day we met at the stadium to run for preseason practice," U-High coach Ari Fisher said. "He was still working his way into shape, but he was strong. And he was more of leader for the other players on the team.

"The way he approached the season really impressed me. Here's a guy who could have scored 40 points every time out. But he knew in order for us to be a better team, he couldn't do that.

"So he worked at making himself better and he also made our team better, not just with his play but with his leadership."

As a child, Davis idolized former LSU star Shaquille O'Neal, now with the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis said he practiced "Shaqlike" moves during games on a dirt court in his neighborhood that often featured players 10 to 15 years older than he was.

Davis' other role model is Minnesota Timberwolves standout Kevin Garnett. "Shaq's inside game is something ... he's unstoppable," Davis said. "I like the way Garnett can go inside or step outside for a jumper and I'm working hard to improve on that. That jump shot is something I'll need in college."

Others outside the U-High program saw the changes in Davis as his game developed, including St. Amant High coach Gary Duhe, an LSU assistant during the Dale Brown era.

"I don't see Glen much during the high school season because U-High is 2A and we're 5A," Duhe said. "But I have worked with him at LSU's camp the last few years. And when I saw him this past summer I was amazed.

"Two years ago, that nickname 'Big Baby' fit his game in a lot of ways. He had a lot of potential, but his game had not matured. Now it has and I think Glen will be a productive player not only for LSU, but also in the SEC overall."

Duhe provided one other bit of insight, likening Davis to former Auburn and NBA star Charles Barkley.

"I think a comparison to Charles Barkley is on the mark," Duhe said. "I was at LSU when Barkley was at Auburn and I'll tell you right now Glen is quicker. For a guy his size, his first step is so quick and he uses that to create space and scoring opportunities for himself. Some players never can do that."

Davis calls U-High's march to the 2A title a tribute to teamwork and the will to win. He is quick to credit Fisher and his teammates for the storybook ending.

"It was the perfect way for a high school career to end," Davis said.

Fisher agrees.

"Glen's got all the honors now and he also has a legacy," Fisher said. "Years from now people can look back and say he was the best player on the best team in his school's history. Not many people can say that."