CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – When you think of basketball in Clarksville, Trenton Hassell is probably one of the first names that comes to mind. Hassell is a Clarksville native who starred for Clarksville High School and then Austin Peay, before going on to have a nine-year NBA career.
After his playing career ended, Hassell got into the coaching world. Hassell runs Clarksville Sol, a local AAU program, and is also the head coach of the girls’ basketball team at Clarksville Christian School. Hassell’s daughter, Lauren, stars for Clarksville Christian, who is currently ranked by On3 as the 13th overall recruit in the class of 2027.
Hassell recently took time to speak with Clarksville Now and reminisce about his teams at Austin Peay and in the NBA.
Trenton Hassell on Coach Loos, NBA experience
Hassell was drafted with the first pick in the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. The Austin Peay product had a solid rookie season, starting in 47 games and averaging just under nine points. However, Hassell would go on to have his best seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2003 to 2007.
During his time in the NBA, Hassell got to play with NBA legends like Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, and Richard Jefferson. The wing’s best season came in the 2005-06 season with the Timberwolves, where he started in 67 games and averaged a career-high 9.2 points.
“I got to play with a lot of people I grew up watching,” Hassell said of his time in the NBA. “The overall experience was awesome, and I learned a lot of business and financial lessons as well. I’m a homebody, so it was cool getting to travel to places I probably never would have gone.”
The former Gov mentioned Kevin Garnett, Ervin Johnson, and Troy Hudson as some of the NBA teammates he was closest with.
Hassell also took time to credit longtime coach, and fellow Austin Peay legend, Dave Loos, with helping developing him into an NBA player.
“Coach Loos taught me how to play basketball, how to play disciplined,” Hassell explained. “I was always a gifted player, I would say, but he taught me to how to excel in a system. The discipline Coach Loos taught me is what helped me make it in the NBA.”
Hassell is undoubtedly one of the best players in Austin Peay history. The Clarksville native averaged 19.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game over his college career. As a result, Hassell was a First-team All-OVC selection three times and won OVC Player of the Year in 2001. Austin Peay retired Hassell’s No. 44 jersey in 2002, and he was inducted into the APSU Hall of Fame in 2006.
Hassell talks coaching, Corey Gipson
Over Hassell’s final two seasons with the Govs, the team compiled a 40-20 overall record. Hassell’s tenure was one of the high points of the storied Loos era, and another former Loos player, Corey Gipson, has recently brought the team back to national relevance.
Gipson and Hassell never played together, but they’ve become acquainted since then. Gipson joined the Govs in 2002, while Hassell was in his second NBA season. Both men had great playing careers and are now both thriving as coaches. Hassell won the NCSA Coach of the Year Award in 2025, while Gipson recently led the Govs to their first regular-season title in 20 years.
“I think Corey (Gipson) is doing a great job,” said Hassell. “He’s a great leader, he’s a great motivator. I watch most of the games, and I just think he’s doing a great job with that program.”
Meanwhile, Hassell had another incredible season at CCS. The Centurions won their fifth-straight district and state titles during the 2025-26 season. Not only is Hassell thought of as a legendary player, but he’s now putting himself into that conversation as a coach, as well.
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