Myrtle Beach native Sessions enjoying rebound with Washington Wizards

Ramon Sessions is used to being traded. It’s happened four times already.

While it’s not always fun to have to pack your bags and head to a new team in a new city, this past year was different.

The Myrtle Beach native was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Washington Wizards just before the trade deadline in February, going from a team plummeting to one of the worst records in the NBA to one with the playoffs in sight and sporting title aspirations.

“Throughout my career it’s been trade here, trade there, new team here, new team there. But when you get traded to a team that’s going to the playoffs it’s big,” Sessions said Monday during his annual youth camp at Myrtle Beach High School. “It’s different than when you get traded to a team that’s kind of rebuilding. So I kind of went there with the mindset that I would be there to get to the playoffs and win games. It was fun.”

It was the eight-year veteran’s second trip to the postseason, his first coming in 2012 after another trade-deadline deal that sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers.

“It was a good experience just to be back in that playoff vibe,” said Sessions, whose played for seven different teams. “You know, going to a team that’s competing for – not only a playoff spot – but to win a championship, it was exciting.”

While the Wizards lost in six games to the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks in the second round, Sessions averaged 7.5 points in 21.8 minutes per game in the playoffs. He also started three games – scoring a team-high 21 in one – while Washington star John Wall was out with an injury.

“It was a different feel this year,” said Akeem Hemingway, Sessions’ personal trainer and cousin. “Second time being in the playoffs – it was very exciting. It was a different tune. [He had] a certain focus. Very locked in. He was excited about it. He came back to life.”

“In the NBA you cannot find a better insurance policy than Ramon Sessions as your backup point guard,” said Trello Galloway, a veteran professional basketball player overseas and close friend of Sessions.

The trade provided an end to Sessions’ short tenure with the Kings – a team he signed a two-year deal with late into the 2014 free agency period. While in Sacramento, his minutes – and numbers – dipped.

A year removed from averaging a career-best 15.8 points in a career-high 32.5 minutes per game in a season split between Charlotte and Milwaukee, Sessions averaged 5.4 points in a career-low 17.8 minutes per game with the Kings. His numbers rose to 7.5 points in 19.5 minutes with the Wizards.

“Sacramento didn’t allow him to be himself because of whatever roster changes they had or whatever direction they were going in,” Galloway said. “And when he got to Washington you could see that he was a different player. Even the [television] commentators were saying this is what’s getting him back to being his old self. He’s got to get back in the groove. And he played well in the playoffs.”

Sessions had known Wall before the trade through both players’ deals with Reebok. They had spent time together during summer events for the company.

“To be honest, I was always a fan of his game from watching him play, watching him put the work in. He’s a special player. He’s one of the top guards – if not the best point guard in the NBA – in my eyes,” Sessions said. “It was great playing alongside him some, backing him up some. We’ve got a good young backcourt. Him and [Bradley] Beal might be the second – or first – best backcourt in the NBA.”

Considering the strong backcourt and overall talent of the Wizards, Sessions and Co. had always considered Washington an enticing destination.

“Washington has been on his radar for a couple years now,” Galloway said. “It’s been a spot that we’ve actually been intrigued by. So when he went there he accepted it with open arms.”

In addition, the Wizards’ style – having their guards push the ball and play a fast pace – fit Sessions’ game better, Galloway said.

“If he’s playing in an offense behind John Wall, the offense is predicated on John Wall dominating the basketball. So if Ramon can dominate the basketball, Ramon can put up big numbers,” he said. “And this was the first time in a long time he was able to dominate the basketball and run a lot of pick-and-rolls and get to his spots. And he was able to get other guys in their spots.”

Sessions and Co. talked about how much being back on the East Coast and having the proximity to Myrtle Beach and his current home in Atlanta was a plus. Sessions said his family was able to come see him play, similar to when he was in Charlotte.

“I wish it would have gone longer, but we’ll be back next year,” said Sessions, who is under contract for one more season.

Galloway believes Sessions can prosper in Washington and hopes the club will keep him for the long term.

“If he continues to do the things he’s been doing, Ramon could play five more years in the NBA. He takes care of his body,” he said. “And I see him being in Washington for a long time. I think if they were smart they’ll pay him next year.”

Sessions, meanwhile, isn’t looking that far ahead just yet.

“In Year 9, I’m just blessed, man,” he said. “To play nine years in the NBA – sometimes I still think about it, day in and day out. That’s why our shirts [at the camp] this year say ‘forever dreaming,’ because it’s a dream still nine years later to be playing.

“It’s going to be fun to have a year in Washington where we can compete for something. I’m looking forward to it. I’m ready for the season to start already.”

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 8:08 PM with the headline "Myrtle Beach native Sessions enjoying rebound with Washington Wizards."