Carter, Jackson Named Lindy’s Preseason All-Americans
October 13, 2020 | Women's Basketball
STARKVILLE – The excitement for the upcoming Mississippi State women's basketball season has started, as Jessika Carter and Rickea Jackson earned preseason third team All-American honors by Lindy's Sport Annuals.
Last season, Carter led State in rebounding (8.7 rpg), blocks (1.8 bpg), field goal percentage (.585) and double-doubles (11) and was second on the team in scoring (13.0 ppg). The junior forward ranked 13th in Division I in field goal percentage and significantly increased her scoring (+9.8 ppg) and rebounding (+5.6 rpg) during her sophomore campaign compared to her freshman year. During conference play, she averaged 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and shot a league-best 65 percent from the field.
During her stellar freshman campaign, Jackson led the Bulldogs in scoring (15.1 ppg) and ranked third in rebounding (5.1 rpg). The three-time SEC Freshman of the Week honoree dominated during league play, ranking fifth among all players with 16.5 points per game and eighth in field goal percentage (.480). Behind eight games with 20-plus points, the Detroit, Michigan, native accounted for 22 percent of Mississippi State's scoring during the SEC slate.
Along with honoring the All-SEC tandem, the magazine also ranked the Bulldogs as the No. 4 team in the country heading into the 2020-21 campaign. A new era in Starkville begins this season, as head coach Nikki McCray-Penson takes the helm of a program that returns several starters and contributors from last year's squad.
"I'm excited to begin this season with my team and staff," said McCray-Penson. "We have worked hard all off season, both to better our game as well as stay healthy during these times. We have a very talented group this year that is very deserving of this preseason ranking, but at the same time, it is just a preseason ranking. Especially in this league, no game is guaranteed, and we will have to be at our best every night."
A member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, McCray-Penson has won championships at all levels of her basketball career. As a coach, she has been a part of one national championship, four conference championships and four conference tournament championships. As a player, she was a two-time Olympic gold medalist and 1998 World Cup gold medalist while competing for Team USA. She led her Columbus Quest team to the 1997 ABL Championship. During college, she helped Tennessee win three SEC regular-season championships and two SEC Tournament titles.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK."
Last season, Carter led State in rebounding (8.7 rpg), blocks (1.8 bpg), field goal percentage (.585) and double-doubles (11) and was second on the team in scoring (13.0 ppg). The junior forward ranked 13th in Division I in field goal percentage and significantly increased her scoring (+9.8 ppg) and rebounding (+5.6 rpg) during her sophomore campaign compared to her freshman year. During conference play, she averaged 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and shot a league-best 65 percent from the field.
During her stellar freshman campaign, Jackson led the Bulldogs in scoring (15.1 ppg) and ranked third in rebounding (5.1 rpg). The three-time SEC Freshman of the Week honoree dominated during league play, ranking fifth among all players with 16.5 points per game and eighth in field goal percentage (.480). Behind eight games with 20-plus points, the Detroit, Michigan, native accounted for 22 percent of Mississippi State's scoring during the SEC slate.
Along with honoring the All-SEC tandem, the magazine also ranked the Bulldogs as the No. 4 team in the country heading into the 2020-21 campaign. A new era in Starkville begins this season, as head coach Nikki McCray-Penson takes the helm of a program that returns several starters and contributors from last year's squad.
"I'm excited to begin this season with my team and staff," said McCray-Penson. "We have worked hard all off season, both to better our game as well as stay healthy during these times. We have a very talented group this year that is very deserving of this preseason ranking, but at the same time, it is just a preseason ranking. Especially in this league, no game is guaranteed, and we will have to be at our best every night."
A member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, McCray-Penson has won championships at all levels of her basketball career. As a coach, she has been a part of one national championship, four conference championships and four conference tournament championships. As a player, she was a two-time Olympic gold medalist and 1998 World Cup gold medalist while competing for Team USA. She led her Columbus Quest team to the 1997 ABL Championship. During college, she helped Tennessee win three SEC regular-season championships and two SEC Tournament titles.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK."
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