It didn’t take long for Virginia coaches to notice Reece Beekman on defense. In the early practices at the start of his career, they saw an understanding of schemes mixed with a knack for playmaking that could turn him into a special defender at the college level.

“We’ve talked about it from day one,” Cavalier coach Tony Bennett said. “I think you saw some of those natural instincts that Reece has, the anticipation, the quick hands, and then the ability and desire to play that way and have the heart. That’s hard thing to make yourself do. It’s not natural.”

Now a junior, Beekman has translated those skills into elite defense at the Division I level. He received the ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award this week as he stacked back-to-back years on the conference’s all-defensive team on his resume. He finished second in the DPOY voting last season, but finished ahead of other strong defenders like North Carolina’s Leaky Black and Syracuse center Jesse Edwards this season. Duke’s Dereck Lively II and UVA teammate Kihei Clark rounded out the five picks for the ACC All-Defensive team.

Beekman was grateful for the recognition.

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