Hargrave Military Academy’s Postgraduate Basketball program reached a milestone on June 25, 2015 when Terry Rozier and Montrezl Harrell, two former team members, were drafted in the 2015 NBA Draft. Additionally, Dez Wells, another teammate, was also immediately signed as a non-drafted free agent.
Terry Rozier, who played for Hargrave during the 2012-2013 season, was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 16th overall pick in the draft. Celtics General Manager and President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge was pursued Rozier from Day 1.
“He’s a guy we have known about, and we thought he was very underrated based on the media and how they perceived him,” Ainge said. “Terry improved rapidly because of the quality of player he is the last few weeks of the draft process. He was getting attention around the league, which worried us because we thought we had a diamond in the rough. Nobody was valuing him all that much.”
During his time at Hargrave, Rozier was a stand-out, averaging 29.3 points per game, along with 7.8 rebounds per game and 5.6 assists per game. After leaving Hargrave, he attended the University of Louisville where he was a key player for his two seasons. He was named to the All-American Conference All Rookie team his freshman year and was a 2nd team All-ACC player this past season, leading the Cardinals in scoring at 17.1 points per game.
Montrezl Harrell, who played for Hargrave during the 2011-2012 season, was selected by the Houston Rockets as the 32nd overall pick in the draft. At Hargrave, Harrell averaged 25.2 points per game and 13.6 rebounds per game, leading the Tigers to a 38-1 overall record and a National Runner-Up postseason finish. After Hargrave, he lead the way to the University of Louisville. During his freshman year at Louisville he played over 16 minutes per game helped Louisville to a coveted NCAA D1 National Championship.
During his sophomore season, Harrell was selected 1st Team All-AAC and was named the AAC Most Improved Player. Because of his elevated play his sophomore season, he was named a Preseason 3rd Team All-American heading into his junior year. This past season he averaged 15.7 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game, winning the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year award.
Dez Wells, who played for Hargrave during the 2010-2011 season, was immediately signed by the Washington Wizards after the draft concluded. At Hargrave, Wells averaged 21.7 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game and 7.3 assists per game and led the Tigers to a 28-1 season record. He signed with Xavier University, and averaged 9.8 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game as a freshman en route to making the All-Rookie Atlantic 10 Conference Team. After his freshman year, he transferred to the University of Maryland where he averaged 13.1 points per game, leading the team in scoring and was named to the ACC All Tournament First Team.
Wells was named 3rd Team All-ACC while leading the team in points again at 14.9 points per game, while also leading the team with 96 assists his junior year. During his senior year, he was selected First-Team All Big Ten by the coaches averaging 15.1 points per game, shooting a lights-out 51% from 3-pointers. Wells also surpassed 1000 career points at Maryland, despite only three seasons of play.
“I’m so proud of everything Montrezl, Terry and Dez have accomplished. They all three have the ability to be long time NBA players. It’s very rewarding as a coach when you see your player’s lifelong dreams come true,” Hargrave Head Coach A.W. Hamilton said.
Hargrave’s Postgraduate Basketball program was named Program of the Decade by RealGM Basketball in 2012. Hargrave has produced 23 NBA players since 1998 and over 100 Division signees in the last 12 years. Hamilton was named National Coach of the Year in 2012 and East Regional Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2015.
Hargrave Military Academy is an all-male military school focused on college preparation and character development. Founded in 1909, the Academy is noted for ongoing academic achievement in college placement, athletics, character development and leadership. Hargrave serves grades 7-12 and one postgraduate year. The Academy is affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. The Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and School via AdvancED and the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. The Academy is located in Chatham, Virginia.
