Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Newcomers Have Strong First Showings
November 12, 2024 | Women's Basketball
New faces doing big things early for the Bulldogs
STARKVILLE – It's always good to make a strong first impression and the newcomers to the Mississippi State women's basketball program have been doing just that through the season's first couple of games.
Early on, it certainly appears the new Dawgs are right at home in Maroon and White.
One of those athletes that recently made her debut in front of the Bulldog faithful in The Hump was graduate guard Eniya Russell. As a member of Kentucky's and South Carolina's women's basketball programs before arriving in Starkville, Russell has now had the opportunity to shine donning the State uniform.
"It felt amazing, [and] it was a warm welcome," Russell said following State's 100-56 victory over Memphis on Thursday, Nov. 7. "The Hail State fanbase has always been good to me, even when I played against them. When I came on my official visit, I felt the energy. It just felt like it was a perfect fit for me."
In the season opener against the Tigers, Russell got the fans in Starkville on their feet on numerous occasions throughout the game with her incredible accuracy and ability to pull up from any spot on the court and make the opposing defense pay.
Through State's first two games, Russell has shot 13-of-21 from the field for 34 points, while also spreading the wealth with three assists and crashing the boards for 13 rebounds.
Speaking of crashing the glass, Mumias, Kenya, native Madina Okot didn't hesitate to make her presence felt on the court in her first appearance for State. The 6-foot-6 junior center was a force to be reckoned with on the court, as she dominated the glass for the Bulldogs in both early-season victories.
Okot racked up a double-double in the season opener with 14 points and 17 rebounds. Following an impressive first performance at the Hump, Okot totaled six more rebounds for MSU in the team's 73-45 victory over Alcorn State.
Her name being called over the loudspeaker multiple times throughout both contests got fans in Starkville accustomed to hearing "Okot" ring throughout the arena. Her teammates also have a special nickname for her positive attitude and dedication to her craft that she displays every day on and off the court.
"Madina is the definition of a humble beast," graduate newcomer Chandler Prater said. "She puts her head down and works. She supports us in every phase of the game. She gets her work done and she makes it look easy. She makes it look effortless. We all respect her so much for how much she's been through, her story that we'll let her tell. Getting here, working so hard and being able to show it on opening night, it was perfect, and she has so much more to show everybody."
While Russell and Okot both had tremendous performances on the court in their respective ways, Prater also got a piece of the action as a newcomer to State's roster this year.
The physical and gritty play from Prater was established through her tenacious efforts in State's wins to open the season, in which she recorded 14 points, 16 rebounds, three steals and one block for the Bulldogs.
After transferring from Oklahoma State in the offseason, Prater was filled with gratitude when she had the opportunity to step on the court at The Hump for the first time in the MSU jersey.
"I'm just so grateful to be out there," Prater said. "Being surrounded by teammates and coaches who have so much love for me and supported me through my whole process, even when I first came here, felt so amazing. I'm really grateful that God brought me back to this point."
It's certainly been a special start for the State newcomers and their supporting cast of teammates were not the only ones who were impressed with their performances and demeanor on the court. You couldn't wipe the smile off head coach Sam Purcell's face when he discussed his newcomers who stepped up and showed out for the logo stitched across their chest.
"Wow is my first statement because this team can be special," Purcell said. "Opening night, I honestly didn't know what to expect because there's so many new pieces and so many new faces, but I learned a lot. I learned that we're tough. I'm really excited."
Early on, it certainly appears the new Dawgs are right at home in Maroon and White.
One of those athletes that recently made her debut in front of the Bulldog faithful in The Hump was graduate guard Eniya Russell. As a member of Kentucky's and South Carolina's women's basketball programs before arriving in Starkville, Russell has now had the opportunity to shine donning the State uniform.
"It felt amazing, [and] it was a warm welcome," Russell said following State's 100-56 victory over Memphis on Thursday, Nov. 7. "The Hail State fanbase has always been good to me, even when I played against them. When I came on my official visit, I felt the energy. It just felt like it was a perfect fit for me."
In the season opener against the Tigers, Russell got the fans in Starkville on their feet on numerous occasions throughout the game with her incredible accuracy and ability to pull up from any spot on the court and make the opposing defense pay.
Through State's first two games, Russell has shot 13-of-21 from the field for 34 points, while also spreading the wealth with three assists and crashing the boards for 13 rebounds.
Speaking of crashing the glass, Mumias, Kenya, native Madina Okot didn't hesitate to make her presence felt on the court in her first appearance for State. The 6-foot-6 junior center was a force to be reckoned with on the court, as she dominated the glass for the Bulldogs in both early-season victories.
Okot racked up a double-double in the season opener with 14 points and 17 rebounds. Following an impressive first performance at the Hump, Okot totaled six more rebounds for MSU in the team's 73-45 victory over Alcorn State.
Her name being called over the loudspeaker multiple times throughout both contests got fans in Starkville accustomed to hearing "Okot" ring throughout the arena. Her teammates also have a special nickname for her positive attitude and dedication to her craft that she displays every day on and off the court.
"Madina is the definition of a humble beast," graduate newcomer Chandler Prater said. "She puts her head down and works. She supports us in every phase of the game. She gets her work done and she makes it look easy. She makes it look effortless. We all respect her so much for how much she's been through, her story that we'll let her tell. Getting here, working so hard and being able to show it on opening night, it was perfect, and she has so much more to show everybody."
While Russell and Okot both had tremendous performances on the court in their respective ways, Prater also got a piece of the action as a newcomer to State's roster this year.
The physical and gritty play from Prater was established through her tenacious efforts in State's wins to open the season, in which she recorded 14 points, 16 rebounds, three steals and one block for the Bulldogs.
After transferring from Oklahoma State in the offseason, Prater was filled with gratitude when she had the opportunity to step on the court at The Hump for the first time in the MSU jersey.
"I'm just so grateful to be out there," Prater said. "Being surrounded by teammates and coaches who have so much love for me and supported me through my whole process, even when I first came here, felt so amazing. I'm really grateful that God brought me back to this point."
It's certainly been a special start for the State newcomers and their supporting cast of teammates were not the only ones who were impressed with their performances and demeanor on the court. You couldn't wipe the smile off head coach Sam Purcell's face when he discussed his newcomers who stepped up and showed out for the logo stitched across their chest.
"Wow is my first statement because this team can be special," Purcell said. "Opening night, I honestly didn't know what to expect because there's so many new pieces and so many new faces, but I learned a lot. I learned that we're tough. I'm really excited."
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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