Sept. 19, 2012
Two of ODU's standout forwards who helped the Monarchs win 97 games are playing in Europe this season. 6-9 Frank Hassell (Chesapeake, VA.) is playing for Hapeoi Holon Tigers in Holon, Isreal while former Monarch teammate Keyon Carter (Riviera Beach, FL.) is playing for Koa Dramas in Greece.
Frank Hassell averaged 15.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game for the Monarchs who were 27-7, captured their second straight CAA Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Hassell was named MVP of the CAA Tournament along with earning first team All-CAA and NABC All-District 10 honors. He was named SI.com honorable mention All-American and the Collegeinsider.com Riley Wallace All-American.
Hassell completed his career with 1282 career points and 909 career rebounds. He ranks 28th all-time at ODU in scoring and 10th all-time in rebounding. He played 138 career games. Hassell was on the San Antonio Spurs roster until the day before the season opened. He then played in the NBA Developmental League for Canton. Frank graduated with a degree in sociology.
Keyon Carter was named Rookie of the Year in the Republic of Georgia's 11-team pro Super League after averaging 23.4 points per game and 13.9 rebounds per game for Dinamo Tbillsi last year.
The 6-8 Carter ranked second in the league in scoring, led the league in rebounding and ranked 10th in steals at 1.7 per game. He was also selected second team All-League. Carter shot .578 from the field and 72.1 from the free throw line.
At ODU, Carter helped lead the Monarchs to two straight NCAA appearances and two straight CAA Championships as well as the 2009 Collegeinsider.com Post Season Championship.
Carter scored a career high 19 vs. Dayton and 10 rebounds against Clemson. He completed his career with 836 career points, 500 career rebounds and played in 127 career games. His senior class of Ben Finney, Frank Hassell, and Darius James won 97 career games which is second most of any senior class at ODU, the most was this year's class with 101.
Keyon graduated in 2011 with a degree sports management. After graduation, Carter went on a Mission Trip to West Africa.