UMBC HC Jim Ferry: Coppin State’s Sam Sessoms Could Lead Country In Scoring

UMBC men’s basketball coach Jim Ferry and Coppin State redshirt senior guard Sam Sessoms, who spent the 2020-21 season together at Penn State, recently reconnected on the hardwood … and Ferry says Sessoms has a chance to lead the country in scoring in 2022-23.

Sessoms, a 6-foot, 189-pound guard out of Philadelphia, spent the first two years of his college career at Binghamton, scoring 1,151 points in 62 games. Then he transferred to Penn State to play for Philadelphia-area native Pat Chambers and for a step up in competition. But Chambers resigned in October 2021, leaving Ferry as the interim coach.

Sessoms came off the bench for Ferry during the 2020-21 season, averaging 8.2 points and 2.3 assists for a Nittany Lions team that went 11-14 overall. Penn State opted for a fresh start after the season, leaving Ferry available to take a UMBC job that came open once Ryan Odom left for Utah State.

Sessoms stayed at Penn State for the 2021-22 season, averaging 11.6 points and 2.6 assists per game for the Nittany Lions. He hit the transfer portal after the season, choosing Coppin State for a chance to work with Juan Dixon and win the MEAC.

Sam Sessoms
(Photo Credit: Colin Murphy/PressBox)

Ferry and Sessoms shared a moment ahead of the Nov. 30 game between UMBC and Coppin in Catonsville.

“We hugged each other, we embraced, we talked before the game,” Ferry said after the Retrievers’ 109-82 win against the Eagles. “You’ve got to understand it was unique. We went through a lot of difficult times together. It was the COVID year. There was a coaching change. These kids were devastated. I’m always going to be there for Sam. He’s always going to be there for Sam. I know how talented he is. I’m really happy for him. I’m happy that he found a place that he feels comfortable with.”

Sessoms is the primary offensive option for Coppin, which sits at 3-6 entering its game at Loyola Dec. 3. His 146 field goal attempts and 22.7 points per game average both rank among the leaders in Division I hoops. Sessoms is also doing it efficiently, hitting 51.4 percent of his shots from the field and 38.2 percent of his looks from 3-point range. He is distributing the ball, too (5.9 assists per game).

Ferry expects Coppin to make noise in the MEAC and for his former player to remain high on the Division I leaderboards.

“That team’s going to win a lot of games. I’m telling you, they can really score,” Ferry said. “… It wouldn’t be surprising to me if they win the MEAC. Listen, Sam, he’s got a chance to lead the country in scoring. That’s what he does. He’s a fantastic player.”

Ferry faced off against another former player when UMBC fell to UNC Greensboro, 76-72, on Nov. 22. Keondre Kennedy dropped 24 points for Greensboro after spending three seasons in Catonsville, including one with Ferry.

These days, that’s going to happen … a lot.

“It’s always hard. I think that’s the nature of this business now. You’re going to be playing against some of your former players,” Ferry said. “… You love the kids. You’re around these kids. You spend so much time with them, more than you do with your family. You share so much. But when the ball gets thrown up, you’re trying to beat me, I’m trying to beat him.”

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Penn State Athletics

Luke Jackson

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