Nikki McCray-Penson Joins “The John Cohen Podcast,” Listen On-Demand Now
April 28, 2020 | Women's Basketball
by Josh Lively, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State head women's basketball coach Nikki McCray-Penson joined "The John Cohen Podcast" this week to discuss her career path and how her coaching journey led her to Starkville. The exclusive episode can be heard now on Apple Podcast and on SoundCloud.
Considered one of the top rising stars in women's college basketball having both playing and coaching experience in multiple Final Fours, McCray-Penson was named the eighth women's basketball coach at MSU on April 11.
A 2020 WBCA National Coach of the Year finalist, 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.
McCray-Penson's prolific and decorated playing career earned her a place in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. The three-time WNBA All-Star spent nine years in the league. Prior to the WNBA, she played two seasons in the ABL, where she earned MVP honors during her championship season.
During her collegiate career at Tennessee, McCray-Penson spearheaded legendary coach Pat Summitt's teams to four NCAA Tournament appearances. The two-time All-American garnered SEC Player of the Year honors as a junior and senior, joining Chamique Holdsclaw and Meighan Simmons as the only three Lady Vols to ever win the yearly award twice. She helped the Lady Vols to a 122-11 record during her career.
Among the many intriguing topics on the podcast, McCray-Penson and Cohen discussed:
For more information on Mississippi State Athletics, follow us on Twitter (@HailState), Facebook (/HailState), Instagram (HailState) and on the Bulldogs' official athletics site HailState.com.
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State head women's basketball coach Nikki McCray-Penson joined "The John Cohen Podcast" this week to discuss her career path and how her coaching journey led her to Starkville. The exclusive episode can be heard now on Apple Podcast and on SoundCloud.
Considered one of the top rising stars in women's college basketball having both playing and coaching experience in multiple Final Fours, McCray-Penson was named the eighth women's basketball coach at MSU on April 11.
A 2020 WBCA National Coach of the Year finalist, 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.
McCray-Penson's prolific and decorated playing career earned her a place in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. The three-time WNBA All-Star spent nine years in the league. Prior to the WNBA, she played two seasons in the ABL, where she earned MVP honors during her championship season.
During her collegiate career at Tennessee, McCray-Penson spearheaded legendary coach Pat Summitt's teams to four NCAA Tournament appearances. The two-time All-American garnered SEC Player of the Year honors as a junior and senior, joining Chamique Holdsclaw and Meighan Simmons as the only three Lady Vols to ever win the yearly award twice. She helped the Lady Vols to a 122-11 record during her career.
Among the many intriguing topics on the podcast, McCray-Penson and Cohen discussed:
- growing up in Collierville, Tennessee, and how basketball came into her life
- what it was like when Pat Summitt came into her life
- acting as a trail blazer for the sport of women's basketball during her ABL and WNBA playing days
- representing Team USA and winning two gold medals at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics
- getting the opportunity to serve on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, which advises the President and Secretary of Health and Human Services on improving American's participation in sports and physical activity
- making the transition to coaching after a successful playing career
- joining Dawn Staley's staff at South Carolina and winning the 2017 National Championship
- what was appealing about coming to Mississippi State
For more information on Mississippi State Athletics, follow us on Twitter (@HailState), Facebook (/HailState), Instagram (HailState) and on the Bulldogs' official athletics site HailState.com.
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