Charlotte, N.C. – Georgia Tech’s James Banks III has been named to the ACC’s All-Defensive team in voting announced Monday by the conference office.
Banks, a 6-9 center from Decatur, Ga., becomes the Yellow Jackets’ fifth All-Defensive team honoree in the last seven years, joining centers Daniel Miller (2013, 2014) and Ben Lammers (2017, 2018), and the fourth different Tech center to make the team since its establishment in 2000.
Banks leads the ACC in blocked shots this season (2.52 in ACC games, 2.5 in all games) and anchors a Tech defense that has ranked as high as 11th nationally in defensive efficiency according to KenPom.com. The pivotman also ranks in the ACC’s top 10 in rebound average (7.6) and has scored 10.5 points per game.
With a sweep of Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors, Duke’s Zion Williamson led the league’s 2019 season award winners and the All-ACC basketball team.
Virginia’s Tony Bennett is the repeat selection as ACC Coach of the Year after leading the Cavaliers to a 28-2 overall record, a 16-2 league mark and a share of the ACC regular-season title. The Cavaliers’ De’Andre Hunter received ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors, while Florida State sophomore Mfiondu Kabengele was recognized as the league’s Sixth Man of the Year. Louisville sophomore Jordan Nwora received the nod as the ACC’s Most Improved Player.
Tech (14-17, 6-12 ACC), the No. 10 seed in this week’s New York Life ACC Tournament, opens play at 2 p.m. Tuesday against Notre Dame at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C.
All-ACC Honors
First Team
- Zion Williamson, Duke, 350*
- RJ Barrett, Duke, 346
- De’Andre Hunter, Virginia, 302
- Cameron Johnson, North Carolina, 277
- Kyle Guy, Virginia, 231
Second Team
- Luke Maye, North Carolina, 221
- Ky Bowman, Boston College, 188
- Ty Jerome, Virginia, 177
- Coby White, North Carolina, 171
- Kerry Blackshear Jr., Virginia Tech, 170
Third Team
- Jordan Nwora, Louisville, 135
- Marcquise Reed, Clemson, 129
- Tyus Battle, Syracuse, 128
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia Tech, 72
- John Mooney, Notre Dame, 71
Honorable Mention
- Mifondu Kabengele, Florida State, 69
- Cam Reddish, Duke, 37
- Tre Jones, Duke, 18
- Terance Mann, Florida State, 16
- Elijah Thomas, Clemson, 10
ACC Player of the Year
- Zion Williamson, Duke, 49
- RJ Barrett, Duke, 16
- De’Andre Hunter, Virginia, 4
- Ky Bowman, Boston College, 1
ACC Freshman of the Year
- Zion Williamson, Duke, 47
- RJ Barrett, Duke, 21
- Coby White, North Carolina, 2
ACC Coach of the Year
- Tony Bennett, Virginia, 30
- Buzz Williams, Virginia Tech, 12
- Roy Williams, North Carolina, 11
- Leonard Hamilton, Florida State, 10
- Chris Mack, Louisville, 7
ACC Defensive Player of the Year
- De’Andre Hunter, Virginia, 46
- Tre Jones, Duke, 19
- David Skara, Clemson, 3
- Trent Forrest, Florida State, 2
ACC Most Improved Player
- Jordan Nwora, Louisville, 30
- John Mooney, Notre Dame, 27
- Cameron Johnson, North Carolina, 5
- Mifondu Kabengele, Florida State, 4
- Kerry Blackshear Jr., Virginia Tech, 2
- Chris Lykes, Miami, 2
ACC Sixth Man of the Year
- Mifondu Kabengele, Florida State, 60
- DJ Funderburk, NC State, 3
- Jared Wilson-Frame, Pitt, 3
- Nassir Little, North Carolina, 2
- Braxton Key, Virginia, 2
ACC All-Defensive Team
- De’Andre Hunter, Virginia, 60
- Tre Jones, Duke, 56
- Zion Williamson, Duke, 53
- Elijah Thomas, Clemson, 31
- James Banks III, Georgia Tech, 29
ACC All-Freshman Team
- Zion Williamson, Duke, 70*
- Coby White, North Carolina, 67
- RJ Barrett, Duke, 66
- Xavier Johnson, Pitt, 40
- Tre Jones, Duke, 38
- *unanimous
ABOUT GEORGIA TECH MEN’S BASKETBALL
Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball team is in its third year under head coach Josh Pastner. Tech has been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1979, won three ACC Championships (1985, 1990, 1993), played in the NCAA Tournament 16 times and played in two Final Fours (1990, 2004). Connect with Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball on social media by liking their Facebook Page, or following on Twitter (@GTMBB) and Instagram.
For more information on Tech basketball, visit Ramblinwreck.com. Tickets for men’s basketball can be purchased here.
