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.