Keeping It Heel
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ACC Basketball: Top 25 ultimate ACC player rankings

By Brandon Griffin

Mar 4, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels players huddle before the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels players huddle before the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 18, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino talks with forward Jaylen Johnson (10) during the second half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Virginia Tech 94-90. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino talks with forward Jaylen Johnson (10) during the second half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Virginia Tech 94-90. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

Players 13 and 14

Like fellow Cardinal Ray Spalding, Johnson was another valuable member of Coach Pitino’s rotation. In 31 games, Johnson averaged 8.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Johnson may have been fourth on the team in points, but got them efficiently, finishing in the top-10 in the ACC in true shooting percentage.

Johnson’s best game came in the Cardinals first game of the season, a win over Evansville on Friday, November 11th. In that game Johnson had 19 points on 9-of-11 shooting. He also finished with a double-double grabbing 14 rebounds, a season high.

Feb 27, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Kennedy Meeks (3) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers center Jack Salt (33) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Kennedy Meeks (3) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers center Jack Salt (33) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Meeks came out of the off-season having lost some weight and redefining his body. It really showed, as he was a force down low for the Tar Heels, garnering recognition with All-ACC honorable mention honors. In 32 games this season, Meeks averaged 12.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

Meeks led the team in rebounds per game and finished in the top-five in the ACC in total rebounds. He also finished in the top-10 in total blocks. Additionally, Meeks ranked No. 1 among all ACC players in intangibles percentage.

Meeks’ best game came on Wednesday, January 11th in a win over Wake Forest. Meeks scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season. Meeks also had three blocks, three steals, and an assist in that game.

Mar 4, 2017; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers center Sidy Djitte (50) looks to pass the ball while being defended by Boston College Eagles forward Nik Popovic (21) during the second half at Littlejohn Coliseum. Tigers won 82-68. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers center Sidy Djitte (50) looks to pass the ball while being defended by Boston College Eagles forward Nik Popovic (21) during the second half at Littlejohn Coliseum. Tigers won 82-68. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

Players 11 and 12

Djitte is the second of the two centers to make this list. Outside of that distinction, he didn’t do anything else of much distinction as far as the ACC was concerned. In 29 games, Djitte averaged 6.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and .8 blocks per game. His rebounds were tops on the team and one of the reasons he finished in the top-10 in intangibles percentage.

Djitte’s best game came in a loss against Oklahoma on Sunday, November 20th. In that game he had 14 points and 14 rebounds, for his first of two double-doubles on the season. Djitte also had two blocks and two steals to keep the Tigers in the game.

Mar 4, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) reaches for the bad as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Nate Britt (0) defends in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Blue Devils 90-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) reaches for the bad as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Nate Britt (0) defends in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Blue Devils 90-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Luke Kennard had an amazing season. The sophomore made the All-ACC first team as the only unanimous vote-getter and finished fourth for ACC Player of the Year. In 31 games, Kennard averaged 20 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.

His points per game were the most on his team and he scored more points than any other player in the ACC. Kennard also finished top-10 in field goals and free-throws attempted. Additionally, he finished top-five in three-pointers made, minutes played, and true shooting percentage.

Kennard’s best game came Saturday, January 28th in a win against Wake Forest. Kennard finished with 33 points on 11-of-14 shooting, including 6-for-6 from behind the arc. The game was huge because it was the start of a seven game winning streak that changed Duke’s season.

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