NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 20, 2022 –
Senior guard Sam Sessoms of Coppin State and Norfolk State senior guard Joe Bryant, Jr. have been named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s Basketball Co-Players of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, the league announced today.
Howard University freshman forward Shy Odom was named Rookie of the Week, and
graduate forward Kris Bankston of Norfolk State was announced as the Defensive Player of the Week.
Sessoms (6-0, r-Sr., G, Philadelphia, Pa.) poured in a game-high 23 points against George Washington – 17 of which came in the second half – going 10-for-14 from the floor and hitting three of his five 3-pointers. That performance helped Sessoms eclipse the 2,000-point mark for his collegiate career.
Bryant (6-1, Sr., G, Norfolk, Va.) was a key part of the Spartans going 3-0 on the week, with wins over Bowling Green, Hampton and North Carolina A&T State. He notched a double-double against the Pirates, hitting six 3-pointers en route to a 23-point, 14-rebound effort. He opened the week with 17 points and three steals against Bowling Green, and had 12 points and five assists against the Aggies.
Odom (6-6, Fr., F, Chestnut Hill, Mass.) averaged 16.0 points per game in two wins for the Bison this past week, shooting a combined 72% (13-for-18) from the floor. He made his first collegiate start against FIU, dropping 14 points, before adding a career-best 18 against Harvard, going 8-for-12 from the floor.
Bankston (6-9, Gr., F, Little Rock, Ark.) averaged nearly three blocks a game in three wins for the Spartans this past week, while also grabbing seven boards a contest. He blocked four shots against Hampton, before notching three blocks, two steals and eight boards against North Carolina A&T State. He also had 10 boards and a block against Bowling Green.
Other Top Performers
Nendah Tarke (Coppin State) grabbed five rebounds and three steals against George Washington.
Steve Settle III (Howard) grabbed 12 rebounds against FIU and 10 against Harvard, while also blocking two shots and notching two steals in the FIU contest.
About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is in its 52nd year of intercollegiate competition with the 2022-23 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC is made up of eight outstanding historically Black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University and South Carolina State University.