-- THE HAWK REPORT --
 

03.03.09

TAYLOR & CAMPBELL NAMED TO 2009 NEC ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

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WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - A pair of Monmouth University freshmen were named to the 2009 Northeast Conference All-Rookie Team on Tuesday afternoon, as announced by league officials. Named to the 2009 All-Rookie Team were forward Travis Taylor and guard Will Campbell, who finished the season as the Hawks' top two scorers.

"We are very happy for both guys," stated head coach Dave Calloway, who was an All-Newcomer performer in 1988. "Hopefully, through more hard work and dedication, they will become all-league players, and more importantly, lead Monmouth back to future NEC Tournaments and championships."

Taylor, a 6-7 forward, led Monmouth in both scoring and rebounding in his first season in the Blue and White. The Union, New Jersey native averaged 12.4 points per game and 5.8 rebounds, while adding 52 assists, 25 blocks and 22 steals. Taylor, who started the final 10 games of the season, earned Choice Hotels/NEC Rookie of the Week accolades three times this year. Also, the post registered 54.2 percent shooting from the floor, which led the Hawks, and ranked fifth overall in the NEC.

Campbell, a 5-10 guard, finished the season ranking second on the team in scoring, posting 9.1 points per contest, in four starts. The Willingboro, New Jersey native scored in double-digits in each of his last 11 games, which included six 20-point outings. Over those 11 games, he averaged 18.1 ppg to lift his season average to 9.1 ppg and was twice honored as Choice Hotels NEC Rookie of the Week. Campbell ranked second on the Hawks with 42 three-pointers, which was five shy from tying Chris Kenny's freshman record at Monmouth.

Taylor and Campbell become the first freshman duo to earn postseason league honors since 1999, when Alpha Bangura was named the Newcomer of the Year and Andre Williams was named to the All-Newcomer squad. In conference games, Taylor posted 12.8 points, while Campbell jumped to 12.0 points per game.

Monmouth's three freshmen, Taylor, Campbell and guard/forward Mike Myers Keitt, end the year as the Hawks' top three scorers, which marks the first time in program history the team has been led offensively by three rookies. The trio accounted for 48.9% of the Hawks' offense on the season, and combined to average 30.4 of Monmouth's 62.1 points per game.

Monmouth, which has called Boylan Gym it home since 1965, will play all of its home games in the new, on campus, $57 million Multi-Purpose Activity Center, in the 2009-10 season.