Courtesy of LehighSports.com
BETLHEHEM, Pa. – Following a season that resulted in a record seven Patriot League Player of the Week awards, Lehigh men’s basketball senior Tim Kempton has been named to the 2016-17 United States Basketball Writers of America (USBWA) All-District II team, as announced on Tuesday. He’s the first Lehigh player to be named to the team since C.J. McCollum following the 2010-11 season. The All-District II team consists of 10 student-athletes, seven of which are from the ACC or Big East.
Kempton, who was also named first-team All-Patriot League for a third straight season, is averaging 20.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. He’s one of only two players in the country who average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, ranking 30th in the nation in points per game and 15th in rebounds per game, respectively.
Kempton’s averages in both points and rebounds lead the Patriot League for the season, as well as in the Patriot League Tournament. He’s helped anchor a Mountain Hawk team that has advanced to its second straight Patriot League Championship Game after defeating Boston University 91-88 on Sunday in a thrilling double-overtime win. Kempton recorded 31 points, 13 rebounds and a career-high six blocks in 38 minutes against Boston, including the tying basket with six seconds left in the first overtime and a block on the other end with one second left to send the game into double overtime. Kempton hit the go-ahead three-pointer late in the second overtime, finishing the overtime periods with 15 points and five rebounds. This performance was after he racked up 20 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks against Colgate in the Patriot League Quarterfinals.
Kempton will finish his career with impressive accolades, garnering Patriot League Rookie of the Year, two Patriot League Player of the Year and three straight first team All-Patriot League honors. He also surpassed the 2,000-point mark in Sunday’s win over the Terriers, becoming just the third player in school history to reach that plateau. He’s one of just two players in Patriot League history to eclipse 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
District II is composed of the best players from schools from New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The rest of the All-District team includes Jaylen Adams (St. Bonaventure), Jalen Brunson (Villanova), Jevon Carter (West Virginia), Angel Delgado (Seton Hall), Josh Hart (Villanova), Kris Jenkins (Villanova), Tyler Lydon (Syracuse), Justin Robinson (Monmouth) and Michael Young (Pittsburgh). Last year’s All-District II team includes multiple now-NBA players, including Deandre Bembry (Atlanta Hawks), Michael Gbinije (Detroit Pistons) and Isaiah Whitehead (Brooklyn Nets).
Kempton and the Mountain Hawks will get a chance to extend their season and win a Patriot League Title for the first time since 2012 when they travel to Bucknell. Opening tipoff for the championship game is set for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
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