DURHAM, N.C. – The U.S. Basketball Writers Association announced its All-America Teams for the 2019-20 season Monday, with Duke freshman Vernon Carey Jr., earning Second Team honors and sophomore Tre Jones being named to the Third Team.
Carey, who was named the USBWA District III Player of the Year earlier this month, was the only player ranked in the ACC’s top 10 in scoring (third, 17.8), rebounding (fourth, 8.8), field goal percentage (first, .577) and blocked shots (sixth, 1.6). The ACC Freshman of the Year posted 15 double-doubles on the season, which ranked second among NCAA freshmen and second in the ACC. Ten of his double-doubles were 20-10 performances, while 14 came as 15-10 games. Carey was second nationally among freshmen in scoring, third in field goal percentage and fourth in rebounds. He is the only freshman selected to the 15-man team.
The ACC Player and Defensive Player of the Year, Jones was the floor general all season long for the Blue Devils. A member of the USBWA All-District Team and finalist for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award, the John R. Wooden Award and the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, Jones ranked sixth in the ACC in scoring (16.2), second in assists (6.4), fourth in assist/turnover ratio (+2.4), sixth in steals (1.8) and 11th in field goal percentage (.423). He was the only player ranked in the league’s top 11 in each of those categories. The native of Apple Valley, Minn., was a three-time ACC Player of the Week selection.
The USBWA All-American status comes as the latest postseason recognition for the Duke pair. Carey was also named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press, Sporting News magazine, Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports – who additionally touted him as the Freshman of the Year. Jones earned second-team All-American honors by USA Today and third team honors by the AP, Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports.
Carey and Jones helped lead the Blue Devils to a 26-5 overall record and 15-5 mark in the ACC.
