WHITEFISH, Mont. – Zaccheus Darko-Kelly of the University of the Providence men's basketball team was named the Frontier Conference Player of the Year, the league announced Tuesday morning.

Jaxen Hashley was named 2^nd Team All-Conference while Brandon Cotton was named Honorable Mention All-Conference. Jake Wetzel was named a Champion of Character.

"I'm really proud of these guys," head coach Steve Keller said. "It tells a little bit about our team and why we've been successful this year. We're proud of what we've done so far at this point. They've all earned their accomplishments. I'm really proud of this great year so far."

Darko-Kelly had a phenomenal first year as a member of the Argos. He led the team in every statistical category, averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.4 blocks. He shot a whopping 52.4% from the field, 42.5% from the three-point line and 79.1% from the free throw line.  Darko-Kelly also broke the Providence single season scoring record.

Darko-Kelly also finished in the Top 5 in every statistical category in the Frontier Conference. He led the league in scoring, steals and blocks, second in assists, third in rebounding and finished 5^th in field goal percentage. Nationally, Darko-Kelly ranks 4^th in total scoring (701 points), 6^th in total assists (177), 7^th in points per game, 7^th in total steals (72), 9^th in assists per game and 10^th in steals per game.

Darko-Kelly has been named the Frontier Conference Player of the Week six times, including the first men's basketball player to win it three weeks in a row. He also was the first men's basketball player in NAIA history to ever win the NAIA Player of the Week Award three times in a row. Darko-Kelly is also one of 50 finalists for the Bevo Francis Award. The list will be narrowed down to 25 players on Mar. 15, with a winner being announced on April 6.

"He's worked hard for this award," Keller said. "He sat out last year and worked on getting better. It showed this year with the year that he had. He'll tell you that winning is the most important thing and I'm proud of his role in us doing that."

After being named the Frontier Conference Freshman of the Year last season, Jaxen Hashley had a solid sophomore season for the Argos and was named 2nd Team All-Conference. He averaged 12.9 points and 7.7 rebounds while leading the Frontier Conference in field goal percentage at 62.6%. Hashley also ranked 4^th in the conference in rebounding.

"Jaxen plays at a very high level, especially these last ten games," Keller said. "He's a warrior. He gets all the rebounds, does all the dirty work. He just plays extremely hard all the time. I'm glad he's getting the recognition."

Senior Brandon Cotton also had an incredible year for the Argos and was named Honorable Mention All-Conference. Cotton averaged 14.0 points and 3.4 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field. He also shot 82.7% from the free throw line. He was named the Frontier Conference Player of the Week on Nov. 21

"He's had a great year," Keller said. "It's hard getting everyone who deserves it on the All-Conference teams, but that's the level he plays at. He's started 60 straight games for us. I'm really proud of him."
 
Wetzel was named a Champion of Character by the Frontier Conference. Wetzel averaged 6.2 points and an incredible 45.6% from beyond the arc. More importantly to the team was his leadership, Keller said.

 "He's one of our leaders," Keller said. "Jake's a great kid and brings a great attitude. The whole team loves him."

The Argos will learn their fate for the NAIA Division I National Tournament during the Selection Show tomorrow at 6 p.m. The team will hold a watch party open to the public tomorrow in the Fireside Room in the McLaughlin Center.