10/23/2026 10:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CONWAY, S.C. – Bryson Sams had followed Coastal Carolina basketball since eighth grade. In May, a phone call gave the former Socastee standout the chance to join the team he grew up watching.
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"It means the world," Sams said. "Receiving all this love from friends and people in the community is truly a blessing that I enjoy every day."
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His high school coach, Alvin Green, helped connect him with Coastal head coach Justin Gray.
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Green also went from Socastee to Coastal, earned South Carolina's Mr. Basketball award in 2000, and became a team co-captain for the Chanticleers.
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Gray had already seen Sams play against his son's Carolina Forest team and believed he could play college basketball. When a spot became available, they met to discuss the opportunity.
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"We'd love to have somebody that's about the right things, good student, values education, but more importantly, loves Coastal," Gray said.
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The 6-foot-3 freshman averaged 21.5 points and earned Class 5A all-state honors as a senior at Socastee in 2024-25 before spending last year at Flight 22 Academy in Wilmington, N.C.
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"He just told me he wants to win and whatever I can do to help, and that is great," Sams said. "Whether that's helping on scout team or just getting good reps in practice to help the team out."
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Gray has seen him respond by working on his game, lifting weights and doing what the staff asks, not taking his opportunity for granted.
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"Overall, the physicality and attention to detail are a big level change, so I just come in each day and try to get one percent better," Sams said. "I know a lot of people would give up a lot to be in the position I'm in."
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Sams' role changes with each practice's needs, from holding a pad and rebounding to playing offense for 15 straight minutes.
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"He's such a selfless young man," Gray said. "I always say everybody has a role on the team, being able to embrace that role and try to be a superstar in it. And right now, he's shining in it."
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"It means the world," Sams said. "Receiving all this love from friends and people in the community is truly a blessing that I enjoy every day."
Â
His high school coach, Alvin Green, helped connect him with Coastal head coach Justin Gray.
Â
Green also went from Socastee to Coastal, earned South Carolina's Mr. Basketball award in 2000, and became a team co-captain for the Chanticleers.
Â
Gray had already seen Sams play against his son's Carolina Forest team and believed he could play college basketball. When a spot became available, they met to discuss the opportunity.
Â
"We'd love to have somebody that's about the right things, good student, values education, but more importantly, loves Coastal," Gray said.
Â
The 6-foot-3 freshman averaged 21.5 points and earned Class 5A all-state honors as a senior at Socastee in 2024-25 before spending last year at Flight 22 Academy in Wilmington, N.C.
Â
"He just told me he wants to win and whatever I can do to help, and that is great," Sams said. "Whether that's helping on scout team or just getting good reps in practice to help the team out."
Â
Gray has seen him respond by working on his game, lifting weights and doing what the staff asks, not taking his opportunity for granted.
Â
"Overall, the physicality and attention to detail are a big level change, so I just come in each day and try to get one percent better," Sams said. "I know a lot of people would give up a lot to be in the position I'm in."
Â
Sams' role changes with each practice's needs, from holding a pad and rebounding to playing offense for 15 straight minutes.
Â
"He's such a selfless young man," Gray said. "I always say everybody has a role on the team, being able to embrace that role and try to be a superstar in it. And right now, he's shining in it."
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Players Mentioned
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