Former Lady Vols basketball star, Nikki McCray-Penson, passed away on July 6, 2023, at just 51 years old. McCray-Penson was not only a standout player for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, but she also had a successful coaching career, most recently serving as the head coach for Mississippi State's women's basketball team.
McCray-Penson's basketball career began in the early 1990s when she joined the Lady Vols. Over the course of her career at Tennessee, she helped lead the team to back-to-back national championships in 1996 and 1997. She was also named the SEC Player of the Year in 1995 and 1996 and was a two-time All-American.
After her college career, McCray-Penson went on to play professionally in the WNBA. She was a three-time All-Star and helped lead the Washington Mystics to the WNBA Finals in 1998. She also played for the Phoenix Mercury and the San Antonio Silver Stars before retiring in 2006.
Following her playing career, McCray-Penson transitioned into coaching, starting as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky University in 2006. She went on to serve as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina and the University of Louisville before being named the head coach at Old Dominion University in 2017. In 2020, she was hired as the head coach at Mississippi State.
As a coach, McCray-Penson continued to achieve success. She led Old Dominion to a 24-6 record in her first season and was named the Conference USA Coach of the Year. She then took over at Mississippi State and led the team to a 20-9 record in her first season, despite the challenges of coaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.
McCray-Penson's impact on basketball extended far beyond her playing and coaching career. She was a role model for many young players and was known for her dedication to the sport and her players. She was also an advocate for women's basketball, serving as the president of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association from 2019 to 2021.
News of McCray-Penson's passing has sent shockwaves through the basketball community, with many players, coaches, and fans expressing their condolences on social media. Tennessee women's basketball coach Kellie Harper, who played with McCray-Penson at Tennessee, wrote on Twitter, "I'm heartbroken to hear of Nikki's passing. She was an incredible player and coach, but more importantly, she was an incredible person. She will be missed by so many."
Mississippi State Athletic Director John Cohen also released a statement, saying, "We are devastated by the loss of Coach McCray-Penson. She was a fantastic coach and an even better person. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the entire Mississippi State community during this difficult time."
In conclusion, Nikki McCray-Penson was a true legend of women's basketball. Her impact on the sport will be felt for many years to come, and she will be deeply missed by the basketball community and beyond.