Udeh Jr. Named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List

ATLANTA – One of the nation’s best rebounders and shot blockers, University of Miami center Ernest Udeh Jr. was named to the Naismith Men’s College Defensive Player of the Year Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Thursday.

The senior has cleaned up the glass and has been an integral part of Miami’s 17-4 start to the season as he is averaging 10.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.

The Orlando, Florida, native tops the ACC and is ninth nationally with 7.1 defensive rebounds per game and leads the country in defensive rebounding percentage at 31.4 percent. Udeh has registered five games this season in which he has hauled in 10-or-more defensive rebounds.

In ACC play, Udeh tops the conference with 10.3 rebounds and is tied for the conference lead in defensive rebounds at 58.

Udeh’s 26 blocks rank him in the top 10 in the ACC, and he has registered seven games in which he has tallied multiple blocks. In the last two games against Syracuse and Stanford, has swatted seven shots.

Miami closes out its two-game homestand Saturday as the Hurricanes host Cal at 4 p.m. The game will air on ACC Network and can be heard locally on WQAM.

Tickets are available for the 2025-26 men’s basketball season and can be purchased online at www.miamihurricanes.com/tickets.