Women's Basketball Signs Nataliyah Gray
November 13, 2024 | Women's Basketball
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State women's basketball announced that four-star forward Nataliyah Gray has signed at the start of the early signing period on Wednesday.Â
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Gray, a 6-3 forward from Alief Taylor High School in Houston, Texas, is ranked as the No. 95 overall and sixth-rated recruit in Texas in the 2025 class by espnW HoopGurlz.Â
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"We're ecstatic to have Nataliyah Gray become a part of our family," head coach Sam Purcell said. "Her versatility to play and defend multiple positions on the court parallels only a handful players around the country. She's uber athletic with a knack for rebounding the ball and a relentless effort to create at the rim. She has a guard-like skillset that can stretch the floor with the ability to dominate in the post. Despite numerous accolades already, she's only scratching the surface of what she can achieve. We're excited for her to return as a Mississippi State Bulldog."
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Gray was Purcell's first commitment of the class and has averaged 20.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks over the course of her high school career to date. She has already surpassed 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds following her junior season.Â
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"I have no doubt that Nataliyah will have a great impact at Mississippi State," Alief Taylor head coach Brandy Jones added. "Her versatility on the court as a three-level scorer sets her a part. She has an elite skill set along with a high basketball IQ and still has lots of potential to tap into. Not only is she a talented player with a competitive fire, she's an exceptional young lady with good character. Nataliyah is a leader, smart, caring and a joy to be around. She's accomplished so much in her high school career, and I know she will do the same at Mississippi State!"
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Gray is joined by fellow espnW HoopGurlz Top-100 prospects No. 39 Madison Francis (Lancaster Central High School / Lancaster, N.Y.) and No. 38 Jaylah Lampley (Lawrence Central High School / Indianapolis, Ind.) to round out Mississippi State's 2025 class.Â
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Gray, a 6-3 forward from Alief Taylor High School in Houston, Texas, is ranked as the No. 95 overall and sixth-rated recruit in Texas in the 2025 class by espnW HoopGurlz.Â
Â
"We're ecstatic to have Nataliyah Gray become a part of our family," head coach Sam Purcell said. "Her versatility to play and defend multiple positions on the court parallels only a handful players around the country. She's uber athletic with a knack for rebounding the ball and a relentless effort to create at the rim. She has a guard-like skillset that can stretch the floor with the ability to dominate in the post. Despite numerous accolades already, she's only scratching the surface of what she can achieve. We're excited for her to return as a Mississippi State Bulldog."
Â
Gray was Purcell's first commitment of the class and has averaged 20.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks over the course of her high school career to date. She has already surpassed 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds following her junior season.Â
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"I have no doubt that Nataliyah will have a great impact at Mississippi State," Alief Taylor head coach Brandy Jones added. "Her versatility on the court as a three-level scorer sets her a part. She has an elite skill set along with a high basketball IQ and still has lots of potential to tap into. Not only is she a talented player with a competitive fire, she's an exceptional young lady with good character. Nataliyah is a leader, smart, caring and a joy to be around. She's accomplished so much in her high school career, and I know she will do the same at Mississippi State!"
Â
Gray is joined by fellow espnW HoopGurlz Top-100 prospects No. 39 Madison Francis (Lancaster Central High School / Lancaster, N.Y.) and No. 38 Jaylah Lampley (Lawrence Central High School / Indianapolis, Ind.) to round out Mississippi State's 2025 class.Â
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