BALTIMORE – Knocking down long-range 3-pointers has never been a problem Coppin State men's basketball junior
Christian Kessee.
Kessee is coming into the 2015-16 as the team's leading returning scorer after averaging 9.9 points per game last season. Last season he scored in double figures 14 times, including three games in which he scored 20 or more points: Delaware State (24 points), Florida A&M (23) and Connecticut (22).
The 6 foot, 2 inch sharpshooting guard can light it up from anywhere on the court. Kessee was one of four CSU players to make at least 50 3-pointers last year. He finished with 51. His accuracy helped the Eagles set a single-season school record with 294 3-pointers made.
Setting a career high five made 3-pointers again UConn, Kessee was fourth on the team in field goal percentage shooting (40.2%) and fifth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in 3-point percentage at (41.8).
However, Kessee acknowledged there are still areas in which he can improve in order to lead the new look Coppin State men's basketball to MEAC supremacy. His main focal point having nothing to do with his skill set.
"One of the main things I've been working on is my leadership and communication," Kessee said. "I have to keep reminding myself that I'm one of the few guys that played for Coppin State last season. So I've been trying to show and help with the things I learned last season. I like to lead by example, but this season I've been focused on being more vocal with my teammates."
Communication will play a big role for the Eagles as they prepare to begin the 2015-16 season.
Kessee has the ability to be one of the top players in the MEAC this season. Aside from his silky smooth 3-point stroke, Kessee has been working on putting the ball on the floor, getting to the basket and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. He has also put in work improving on the defensive end of the court. Kessee can use his quick hands to jump passing lanes to create turnovers for his team. He was also second on the team averaging 1.2 steals per contest.
The Las Vegas native will get his first opportunity to show off his hot shooting touch when Coppin State begins the 2015-16 season on Friday night against Eastern Kentucky at Alumni Arena for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff. The Colonels defeated the Eagles on a heartbreaking last second shot, 66-63, at the Physical Education Complex last year.
Kessee scored 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range.
The Eagles will then turn around and head to Iowa City for a Sunday afternoon game with a 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time tipoff and be seen on the Big-10 Network.
"I'm excited to get the season started," said Kessee, who made at least two 3-pointers in a game 11 times last season. "We owe Eastern Kentucky from last season. And I really want to get in there and get a win on their court. We've been working hard all summer preparing for this season. I know the newcomers will have no problem adjusting to the new atmosphere."
Coppin State's other returnees are 6-9 senior forward
Lawrence Fejokwu, 6-8 junior forward
Jerimyjah Batts and 6-7 sophomore forward
Blake Simpson. All three players will be counted on to play bigger roles this season.
"Christian is a solid shooter who will help open the floor for our post players to maneuver around the basket," head coach
Michael Grant said. "I expect him to have a good year. He has experience in my system and we'll look to him for leadership."
Kessee will be a huge focal point for the Eagles on and off the court, a role that he has been preparing for the entire offseason.
"We want to put ourselves in position to grab a NCAA tournament spot," Kessee said. "We have a lot of newcomers to the team but the mission to get a ring has remained the same for us. We are a confident group and a ring with a tournament bid would complete the season."
