A Role Model For All

STARKVILLE – Mere hours before recording her eighth contest of 2025 with at least three 3-pointers in a single game on Thursday night, junior guard Debreasha Powe was outside of Dudy Noble Field with a camera in hand working on a school project.

That is what being a student-athlete at MSU is all about. Having the Bulldog mentality is something that extends beyond simply wearing the Maroon and White uniform on game day. Powe's determination to succeed in all aspects of her collegiate career has been noticed and admired by her teammates and head coach Sam Purcell in her three years in Starkville.

"Debreasha is like the mother of the team," graduate Jerkaila Jordan said. "She's probably been the mother since her freshman year. It's a role that she takes on 100 percent. She's our voice when we're down. We know if somebody's going to pick up, it's going to be Debreasha. You never see her with a bad attitude or a frown on her face. She's always smiling and she's somebody that you enjoy being around on and off the court."

Powe's demeanor in the classroom is just as inspiring to her fellow teammates as her leadership as an athlete. Her aspiration off the court is to become a communications specialist with an emphasis on broadcasting and sports reporting. During her three years at State, Powe has capitalized on opportunities involving her desired career path by participating in internships as a sideline reporter at French Camp Academy football and as a member of the MSU athletics broadcasting crew.

While Powe can light up the scoreboard with her shooting ability, as noted with her 41.9% shooting percentage from three that leads the SEC, she can also be spotted on MSU's campus shooting videos and honing her craft in everything she sets out to accomplish.

"She's the ultimate woman," Purcell said. "I always preach to [the team], it's funny how life works when you roll up your sleeves and you work hard. As simple as that sounds, a lot of people don't have that. She does."

Her hard work is paying off in the classroom and on the court, as the talented guard from Meridian, Mississippi, continues to strive to be the best in everything she does.

"I bragged about her from the first day I went to her house… about that Mississippi work ethic, that blue-collar work ethic," Purcell said. "She's [also] a woman of faith. She leads our Bible chapter and she's praying for us before the game. It's just awesome."

That determined mentality was on full-display In Thursday night's 78-55 victory against Arkansas. Powe shot 5-of-6 from beyond the arc and ended the evening with 16 points, while also recording three rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal in the win over the Razorbacks.

It is not just the points per game and ability to snag the basketball from the opposition that highlights her performances every day for the Bulldogs, however. Her abilities as a leader for Purcell's squad have aided State's charge to finish the season strong as the SEC Tournament and postseason play looms.

"Debreasha is definitely that girl that you're grateful is your friend," graduate Chandler Prater said. "She's going to pick you up and tell you she believes in you, and she really means it. It's real and genuine. Not a lot of things are authentic these days, and she's one of them, so it's really cool to have her as a teammate. I've never had a teammate like Debreasha before."

To be the best at what you do, it takes true drive, determination and an undeniable effort to improve. Powe's attitude, on the court and in the classroom, exemplifies what it means to be a successful student-athlete.

"I always talk about what's your legacy and how do you make others feel," Purcell said. "The coolest thing I can say for her, outside of all those accolades, is how she makes everyone feel. Everybody, anytime she talks, they listen because they respect her. There's a lot of little girls out there that are about to play sports on a day like today, that look up to Powe. She gives a lot of other kids here hope in the state of Mississippi."

Mississippi State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Jerkaila Jordan

Debreasha Powe

Chandler Prater

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