THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 10, 1995 TAG: 9506100429
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHICAGO LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
Six-foot-seven in your Old Dominion basketball program, Petey Sessoms was somehow measured at 6-8 1/2 here at the NBA's pre-draft camp.
``Naw,'' Sessoms said. ``I'm 6-7. 6-6 without shoes.''
It's undoubtedly just a tape measure error - three teams can measure the same player and come up with three different results, NBA scouting director Marty Blake said.
But you could look at it another way. You could look at as a symbol of Sessoms' ever-increasing stature in the eyes of NBA teams.
First in Portsmouth, then in Phoenix, and now in Chicago, Sessoms has separated himself from the pack of wannabes hoping to make a favorable impression on the league's talent scouts.
``He's played well,'' said John Nash, general manager for the Washington Bullets. ``I like his chances to be drafted and make a team.''
That's not something Nash or many others would have said a year ago, when Sessoms was primarily known as a spot-up jump shooter and little else.
Sessoms knew what people were saying, and knew it was true. He could tell by the way opponents were playing him.
``They were keying on my jump shot,'' Sessoms said. ``I had to do some other things.''
Sessoms' 1994 summer project was to improve his ballhandling. The proof of his success was his Colonial Athletic Association player of the year season, his strong play in the NCAA tournament and his showings in the postseason draft tournaments.
``He's gone from being a guy who was just trying to get on the list, to someone who will get an opportunity to play,'' said Chris Wallace, director of scouting for the Miami Heat.
Sessoms scored 26 points in his first two games in Chicago, rolling off screens and hitting jumpers, or squaring up to his man and driving to the basket.
He did it from the shooting guard spot, a shift from his days as a small forward at ODU.
``He seems to get a quality shot every time,'' said Golden State general manager Dave Twardzik. ``He's pretty creative when he drives to the hole.''
Sessoms has also played tight defense, bottling up players like Oregon State's Brent Barry, who is considered one of the top shooting guard prospects in the camp.
``I've really got to concentrate on the defensive end, because I'm guarding quicker players,'' Sessoms said. ``Otherwise, it's not that much of an adjustment. I'm doing the same stuff.''
And doing it well. Sessoms' smooth play has made him popular with his teammates. In the second half Thursday, several of them were hooting in anticipation from the bench each time Sessoms put up a shot.
``We've been calling him Petey-Nice,'' said Arkansas guard Scotty Thurman, a Sessoms teammate. ``Because he's played real well and has a nice game.''
Because Sessoms has become so hard to guard, he'll likely hear his name called on draft day, June 28. Whether it's called early in the second round or 20 picks later, with one of the draft's final selections, is of no concern, he says.
``I'm not worried about it,'' he says. ``The hard part is getting into the league. Once you get in, if you work hard, you'll get a chance.''
His chance should be coming soon. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
Staff
Petey Sessoms might have played himself into the second round of the
NBA draft with a strong performance in Chicago this week.
NBA CAMP SCOUTING REPORTS
Petey Sessoms of Old Dominion, Corey Williams of Norfolk State
and former Booker T. Washington High star Michael Evans are in
Chicago attending the NBA's pre-draft camp. Here's a quick look at
how they did Friday.
PETEY SESSOMS
The numbers: 8 points in 15 minutes, all at the free throw line.
The skinny: Not his best day, but his status as a draft pick has
been solidified.
They're saying: ``I like his chances to be drafted, and make a
team,'' John Nash, Washington Bullets.
COREY WILLIAMS:
The numbers: 7 points in 12 minutes, 3 of 6 from field.
The skinny: Was solid but didn't turn many heads.
They're saying: ``He's on the fringes of the draft,'' Chuck
Douglas, Washington Bullets.
MICHAEL EVANS
The numbers: 5 points, 2 assists, 2 turnovers in 19 minutes.
The skinny: Showed flashes of potential after struggling.
They're saying: ``It's all new to him, so he didn't really hurt
himself,'' Stu Jackson, Vancouver Grizzlies.
by CNB