·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ

One of the key pieces in the resurgence of ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ Women’s Basketball, Khadijah Sessions returned to the Gamecock bench in July 2023 as an assistant coach. The former point guard from Myrtle Beach, S.C., had been coaching at the high school level for several years after her playing career concluded.

“There are few people who understand and embody what our program is about like Khadijah,” head coach Dawn Staley said. “From her vision and communication as a point guard to how she translated that into coaching at the high school level, she is ready for this move into the college ranks. I can’t wait to watch and help her develop in our sport.”

In her four seasons in a Gamecock uniform (2013-16), Sessions helped ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ to three SEC regular-season championships and a pair of SEC tournament titles. A three-year starter, she was part of the program’s first NCAA Final Four team as a junior in 2014-15 and was named a captain the following season. After graduation, Sessions spent a season playing overseas in Finland and later helped the United States to gold in the 2019 FIBA AmeriCup, a team coached by Staley.

“I’m super excited to be joining Coach Staley and the staff,” Sessions said. “I gave every inch of me to this university as a player, and I’m ready to do the same as an assistant coach. I absolutely love the University of ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ, and to be doing this alongside the GOAT – I couldn’t ask for a better college start. Coaching is something I take pride in, and I’m just ready to get to work, learn and grow.”

After retiring as a player, Sessions turned to coaching, privately training young basketball players in the Columbia area and leading a youth AAU team. In August 2020, she made the move to join Ridge View High School as its junior varsity head coach and an assistant coach for its varsity squad. She closed out her two seasons with the Blazers with the varsity team claiming the 2022 5A State Championship. Throughout her time coaching, she has seen 10 of her players go on to play at the college level.

Sessions graduated from the University of ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality, restaurant, tourism management.

The Sessions Capsule

Coaching Experience
·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ, assistant coach, 2023-present
Ridge View High School, varsity boys’ assistant coach, 2020-22
•   ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ 5A State Champions, 2022
Ridge View High School, junior varsity boys’ head coach, 2020-22

Playing Experience
USA Basketball, FIBA AmeriCup, gold medal, 2019
Kouvottaret, Finland, 2016
•   Finnish 1st Division Finalist, 2016
·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ, 2013-16
•   Three-year starter
•   Two-time team captain
•   Three-time SEC Regular-Season Champion, 2014, 2015, 2016
•   Two-time SEC Tournament Champion, 2015, 2016
•   NCAA Final Four, 2015

Education
Bachelor of science in hospitality, restaurant, tourism management, University of ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ, 2016