Miami's Tonye Jekiri Named to All-ACC Defensive Team

Miami Hurricanes center Tonye Jekiri has been named to the 2015 All-ACC Defensive Team, the school announced on Monday morning.

The 7-foot junior out of Nigeria is averaging 8.5 points 10.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks this season, providing length and rim deterrence for a roller coaster Miami team looking to slap together quality ACC tournament wins in an effort to boost their resume for the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee.

His nine double-doubles in 18 games led the ACC, as did his 10.9 rebounds a game in league play. Jekiri also placed third in Defensive Player of the Year voting and second for Most Improved Player.

The most amazing part of Jekiri's rise to a two-way force on the court? He took up basketball just five years ago after moving to the U.S. from Nigeria.

Full ACC reward voting is below.

All-ACC Freshman Team

Jahlil Okafor, Duke - *64
Tyus Jones, Duke - 62
Justise Winslow, Duke - 59
Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Florida State - 57
Justin Jackson, North Carolina - 22

All-ACC Defensive Team

Rakeem Christmas, Sr., Syracuse - 58
Malcolm Brogdon, Jr., Virginia - 50
Darion Atkins, Sr., Virginia - 38
Tonye Jekiri, Jr., Miami - 38
BeeJay Anya, So., NC State - 29

ACC Player of the Year

Jahlil Okafor, Fr., Duke - 44
Jerian Grant, Sr., Notre Dame - 14
Malcolm Brogdon, Jr., Virginia - 3
Rakeem Christmas, Sr., Syracuse - 1
Olivier Hanlan, Jr., Boston College - 1
Montrezl Harrell, Jr., Louisville - 1

ACC Freshman of the Year

Jahlil Okafor, Duke - 64

ACC Coach of the Year

Tony Bennett, Virginia - 52
Mike Brey, Notre Dame - 6
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke - 5
Mark Gottfried, NC State - 1

Defensive Player of the Year

Darion Atkins, Sr., Virginia - 26
Rakeem Christmas, Sr., Syracuse - 15
Tonye Jekiri, Jr., Miami - 10
Montrezl Harrell, Jr., Louisville - 8
BeeJay Anya, So., NC State - 3
James Robinson, Jr., Pittsburgh - 1
Cameron Wright, Sr., Pittsburgh - 1

Most Improved

Rakeem Christmas, Sr., Syracuse - 24
Tonye Jekiri, Jr., Miami - 14
Quinn Cook, Sr., Duke - 6
Cat Barber, So., NC State - 6
Terry Rozier, So., Louisville - 4
Michael Gbinije, Jr., Syracuse - 4
Jaron Blossomgame, So., Clemson - 3
Jamel Artis, So., Pittsburgh - 2
Michael Young, So., Pittsburgh - 1

Sixth Man of the Year

BeeJay Anya, So., NC State - 26
Matt Jones, So., Duke - 13
Charles Mitchell, Jr., Georgia Tech - 10
V.J. Beachem, So., Notre Dame - 8
Chris Jones, So., Pittsburgh - 7