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DiSessa Joins Keene State men's basketball team
KEENE, N.H. 1/5/09 - The Keene State men's basketball team added some much needed depth and experience to its backcourt with the addition of sophomore point guard Nate DiSessa to its roster.
DiSessa, a 5-foot, 10-inch guard from Westfield, Mass. who will wear #13, will dress and could see action in Keene State's non-conference game at SUNY-New Paltz tomorrow night. "I'm real happy to be at Keene State," said DiSessa, who has spent the past few days getting a crash course on the Owls' system. "It's a great program with great fan support and a coaching staff that made me feel comfortable as soon as I got here."
DiSessa joins the Owls after playing last season at Elms College of Chicopee, Mass. The teams' back-up point guard, he saw action in all 30 Blazer games, averaging 3.3 ppg. and 1.4 assists per game. "We're excited about getting a player of Nate's caliber," said KSC Coach Rob Colbert. "He's a player we recruited out of high school, so we're aware of his capabilities."
DiSessa said his reason for leaving Elms was not basketball related. "I was happy basketball wise, but the school was too small and too close to home," he said.
DiSessa, who played AAU ball with current Owls Derek D'Amours and Quinton McMilllian, came up for a visit and found a new basketball home.
DiSessa was a member of a 2007-08 Elms team that posted a 23-7 record, captured its fourth straight North Atlantic Conference championship, and advanced to the second-round to the NCAA Division III tournament.
A two-time All-Western Mass. player at Westfield High, DiSessa, a three-year starter, was the first player at the school to play on four consecutive tournament teams, including his senior squad, which reached the semifinals of the state championship. His high school highlights included a 44-point performance in an overtime win against rival Longmeadow.
Although he was noted for his scoring prowess playing for the Bombers, DiSessa knows his main job with the Owls will be distributing the ball. "I love being in control on the court and getting my teammates involved in the offense," said DiSessa.
"Nate can hit the open shot, but he's also a floor leader," said Colbert. "He brings a little bit of age to the team. We have nine freshmen, so anytime you can add some age it takes a little bit of a load off the younger players."
Although his size might be a concern in adapting to the more competitive Little East Conference, Colbert feels DiSessa has played against quality competition and has the speed and basketball IQ that should help him overcome that hurdle.
"A lot will depend on how quick Nate picks things up, but I envision him getting good minutes right away," Colbert said. "At this point of the season we're looking to solidify our group of players, so we can make a push in February."
