Sam Cassell Jr. brings an extensive and accomplished basketball career to his role as Graduate Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Chicago State University. A former standout player at Iona College, UConn and Chipola College, Cassell has a deep understanding of the game and valuable experience playing at both the collegiate and professional levels.

As a senior at Iona College (2016-17), Cassell played a pivotal role, appearing in all 35 games and starting 28. He averaged 10.9 points per game, ranking third on the team, while also contributing 3.0 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. Notably, he led the Gaels with 79 made three-point field goals and ranked fourth in the conference with a 2.1 assist/turnover ratio. Cassell's ability to perform in high-pressure situations was evident when he scored 29 points against Rider and posted 16 points in the NCAA Tournament against Oregon.

Before joining Iona, Cassell played two seasons at UConn, where he was hampered by injuries but still made notable contributions. At Chipola College, he earned NJCAA First Team All-American honors and was named FCSAA Player of the Year after averaging 18.7 points per game and leading his team to the Final Four of the NJCAA National Tournament.

After college, Cassell had a brief professional career, including stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Summer League, where he averaged 6.6 points per game. He also played in Europe for BBG Herford, where he averaged 21.4 points per game, and for the Manchester Giants, where he led his team in assists with 5.4 per game and averaged 15.3 points per game.

Cassell holds a bachelor’s degree in General Business from the University of Connecticut and began pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Broadcasting at Iona College. His passion for the game, leadership skills, and diverse playing experience make him a valuable asset to the coaching staff.  

Sam Cassell Jr. is the son of Sam Cassell Sr., a 15-year NBA veteran and current assistant coach with the Boston Celtics.