NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 15, 2022 – Today, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) acknowledged Coppin State senior guard Sam Sessoms as the Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. Norfolk State graduate forward Kris Bankston was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Norfolk State freshman guard George Beale earned Rookie of the Week honors.
Sam Sessoms (G, 6-0, 189, Sr., Philadelphia, Pa.) Coppin State University
finished the Eagles’ game against Georgetown with a double-double: 16 points and 10 assists, becoming the first Coppin State player to accumulate at least 10 assists since 2015. He averaged 23 points in four games and amassed a season-high 28 points against Mount St Mary’s. He concluded the week with 92 total points.
Kris Bankston (F, 6-9, 230, Gr., Little Rock, Ark.) , Norfolk State University
averaged 8.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game in four contests this week for the Spartans. He blocked five shots against Cairn and grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds; he also had 12 rebounds against Virginia University of Lynchburg.
George Beale (G, 6-4, 200, Fr., Suffolk, Va.) Norfolk State University
Beale started all four contests for the Spartans, posting an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double performance in the first game of his collegiate career. He averaged 6.5 points and five rebounds per game for the week, ending the week with 18 total rebounds.
Other Top Performers
Justin Steers (Coppin State) earned a double-double, with a career-high 21 points and added 12 rebounds, and three blocks against Georgetown. He then had another double-double (14 points and 10 rebounds) in a win over Mount St Mary’s.
Bryce Harris (Howard) recorded a double-double (14 points and 11 rebounds) against the University of District Columbia and had 19 points against George Washington. He ended the week with three steals, three blocked shots, and 24 rebounds.
Jelani Williams (Howard) scored 12 points in a win over the University of District Columbia and finished the game against George Washington with 14 points and nine assists.
Dionte Johnson (Maryland Eastern Shore) played 15 minutes against Bryn Athyn College, earning six points, seven rebounds, and four steals. He was on the court for 13 minutes versus Charlotte and ended the day with seven points, two rebounds, and two steals.
Nathaniel Pollard, Jr. (Maryland Eastern Shore) accumulated 15 rebounds, four steals, and two blocks over three games. He ended the week with 20 points.
Zion Styles (Maryland Eastern Shore) averaged 15.7 points per game, including 18 points versus Old Dominion. He tallied nine rebounds, four steals, and 47 points in three games.
Eric Boone (North Carolina Central) had 17 rebounds and six steals in three games. He ended the week with 30 points and scored 18 points against No. 18 Virginia.
Justin Wright (North Carolina Central) averaged 17.7 points and went 9-for-11 from behind the arc in three games.
