Why Ben Lammers might be the ACC's most improved player

A junior from San Antonio, Georgia Tech center Lammers is not particularly interested in the spotlight, but it has come to find him this season. In a trying season for the Jackets, one that will continue Thursday with their ACC matchup at home against Clemson, Lammers has been Tech’s star and linchpin.

“I just think he’s one of the most improved players, not only in the conference but the country,” Louisville coach Rick Pitino said this week after Lammers scored a career-high 24 against the Cardinals in a 65-50 Tech loss. “He has an outstanding mid-range shot, he’s a terrific shot blocker, has a good low-post game, gets off his feet, he’s athletic. He does it all that you’d want from a big man.”

The numbers help explain it. A year ago, playing behind big men Charles Mitchell and Nick Jacobs, Lammers averaged 3.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 blocks in 14.8 minutes per game. This season, he has started every game and is averaging 14.9 points (19th in the ACC going into Wednesday’s games), 9.9 rebounds (third) and 3.3 blocks (first) in 34.2 minutes per game. His free-throw shooting percentage is up from 50.0 to 77.4 percent.