HBCU All-Star: Sam Sessoms | 2023

HBCU All-Star game player profile of Coppin State's Sam Sessoms.

Don Hunt | Mar 25, 2023

HBCU All-Star: Sam Sessoms | 2023 /

PHILADELPHIA - When Sam Sessoms was selected to play in the second-ever HBCU All-Star Game on April 2 at Texas Southern in Houston during the NCAA Final Four Weekend, where the game will be shown on CBS Television Network at 3 PM CT, needless to say, he was really happy.

Sessoms, a 6-0, 189-pound guard from Coppin State, is thrilled about the chance to display his basketball skills on the national stage in front of several pro scouts.

SAM SESSOMS - COPPIN STATE - GUARD — Dec 30, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Coppin State Eagles guard Sam Sessoms (3) dribbles up court during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

“It’s definitely going to be a great experience,” Sessoms said. “I’m excited I got the opportunity to showcase my talent in front of that type of crowd. I’m able to represent Coppin State and the rest of my teammates. I’m looking forward to it.”

Sessoms, a Philadelphia native, was chosen first-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference this season. He led the MEAC in scoring, averaging 20.5 points a game. Sessoms was second in the league in steals tallying 2.0 steals a game. He was third in the MEAC in assists, averaging 5.0 a game.

Sessoms started his college career at Binghamton ((2018-20) prior to transferring to Penn State (2020-22). He finished his playing career with Coppin State with 2,362 points, 534 rebounds, 552 assists, and 202 steals while connecting on 240 three-pointers.

Dec 30, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Coppin State Eagles guard Sam Sessoms (3) dribbles up court during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Skeeters, Coppin State assistant coach, feels Sessoms has a lot of potential. Skeeters likens his talents to NBA legend Joe Dumars who starred for the Detroit Pistons, while he says former Coppin State head coach Juan Dixon feels Sessoms’ style of play is similar to Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet.

“I give credit to Juan Dixon,” Skeeters said. “He gave him the comparison of Fred VanVleet. He’s literally the same type of player. He had games where he had ten assists, eight and nine assists in MEAC and non-MEAC play.

“I tell him he’s a lot like Joe Dumars. He’s a modern-day Joe Dumars in regards to he plays the one, the two, he can guard the best player, score the ball and set the guys up, and make plays. He’s a winner. He’s a pro.”

Sessoms will play for Team Dick Barnett, which some great players such as Norfolk State’s Joe Bryant Jr. and Kris Bankston, Morgan State’s Isaiah Burke, and other HBCU standouts.

Robert Covington, who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers, played his college basketball at Tennessee State. Covington is the only HBCU player in the NBA. The HBCU All-Star Game has some terrific NBA prospects. Sam Sessoms looks like a player to watch in this game.

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Published Mar 25, 2023

DON HUNT

Donald Hunt is an American sportswriter and recently retired from the Philadelphia Tribune. He became the first African American sportswriter to enter the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.