Pitt's Justin Champagnie named first-team All-ACC

Pitt sophomore Justin Champagnie, the only major conference player in the nation averaging a double-double, was named to the All-ACC first team Monday.

Champagnie is the first Pitt player since the school joined the conference for the 2013-14 season to earn first-team honors. He’s also the first Pitt player to claim first-team, all-league honors in any conference since Ashton Gibbs (Big East, 2011). He joins Sam Clancy (1978), Brian Shorter (1989) and DeJuan Blair (2009) as the only Panthers to earn first team all-conference honors as a sophomore.

Past Pitt players named to All-ACC teams are Michael Young, Jamel Artis, Lamar Patterson and Talib Zanna.

“It is an honor to receive all-conference honors,” Champagnie said in a statement. “I appreciate coach Capel and the rest of the staff for pushing me and helping me throughout this season.

“I also wouldn’t be in this position without great teammates who give me the confidence to go out and be myself on the court. We want to continue to compete together and finish our season strong.”

Champagnie, who is averaging 18.4 points and 11.1 rebounds, was the second-leading vote getter on the all-conference team, a point behind ACC Player of the Year Moses Wright of Georgia Tech (344-343). He finished tied for second with Louisville’s Carlik Jones in POY voting and tied for third with Wright for Most Improved Player.

The rest of the first team includes Wright, Jones, Duke’s Matthew Hurt and Virginia’s Sam Hauser.

“Justin has had a terrific season and is well deserving of All-ACC honors,” Capel said. “The best part of his game is that he remains focused on helping this team finish the season strong. We have a great opportunity ahead of us at the ACC Tournament, and I know Justin is eager to compete with his teammates.”

Champagnie ranks in the top 10 of the ACC in scoring, rebounds, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, blocks, defensive rebounds, offensive rebounds and minutes played. He also leads the conference in double-doubles (13), including eight with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Florida State’s Scottie Barnes was named ACC Freshman of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year, Georgia Tech’s Jose Alvarado Defensive POY and Hurt its Most Improved Player. Virginia Tech’s Mike Young was named Coach of the Year.

Voting is done by a panel consisting of the ACC’s 15 head coaches and 60 media members.

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