Women's basketball team

Players starting to arrive for the summer session. Quite a few new faces and question marks with the 2025-26 team but they do bring a more than solid combination of experienced NCAA D1 players and young talent.

Biggest question mark is at the center spot...
6-7 Rocio Jimenez and 6-6 Faith Wylder (Stony Brook transfer). Not much info out there about either of these two, though enough to know that Wylder was a highly thought of high school (home school) talent around the New York area. 6-3 freshman Nataliyah Gray is very versatile and can play anywhere in the frontcourt needed. Ole Miss transfer 6-2 Kharyssa Richardson..another name.

Pee Wee needs to learn that he has to do the other half of his role and coach the team too.

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Originally Posted by BravesDoggy

Pee Wee needs to learn that he has to do the other half of his role and coach the team too.

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Sure, but let's not forget that he's reached the Round of 32 twice in his first 3 seasons. That's pretty good.

Purcell didn't hit the transfer portal as hard as he should have. We currently have 11 players and we can carry 15. Injuries happen, I wouldn't feel comfortable at only 11. We have enough gaurds and wings, I'd at least like to see us add another post player

This team will have a losing record next year.

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Originally Posted by ZedFedder

This team will have a losing record next year.

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In the SEC? Probably.

Overall? Very unlikely.

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Originally Posted by Quaoarsking

In the SEC? Probably.

Overall? Very unlikely.

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We shall see. I think they are going to be bottom 4 in the SEC.

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Originally Posted by Quaoarsking

Sure, but let's not forget that he's reached the Round of 32 twice in his first 3 seasons. That's pretty good.

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He has won at least I post season game in each season...

They're not going to be good

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Originally Posted by Cooterpoot

They're not going to be good

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As we sit right now on paper I'd have to agree. That said I do like that we kept Destiny Mcphaul, if you watched any of our games she should have been our starting PG, she will have a good season. I also really like our Freshman class... they are all 6'1 to 6'3 and can play. 6'2" Madison Francis is a day 1 starter, there's a reason she made the USA team. But we do have alot of unknowns, especially in the post. Jimenez and Wylder are huge at 6'6 and 6'7 but are both raw and unproven. Purcell must know something we don't because Im surprised he at least didn't go grab a JUCO big as a backup, especially with these two's injury history

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Originally Posted by ZedFedder

This team will have a losing record next year.

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Im not sure about that, we have enough talent with Mcphaul, Prater and Francis alone to at least have a winning OOC record.

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Originally Posted by NCMSTFAN

Im not sure about that, we have enough talent with Mcphaul, Prater and Francis alone to at least have a winning OOC record.

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Nataliyah Gray and Jaylah Lampley...both appear high talent level as well, advanced incoming freshmen. This freshman class is better than #11 nationally..the scouts missed bad on ranking Nataliyah Gray out of Houston TX. Without the freshmen...yes, appears a down season record wise. Purcell and his staff gonna have to play the freshmen. Throw 6-6 sophomore Faith Wylder out there as well, let them grow through their mistakes and get better as the season progresses...best opportunity for a late season run. Also, Mcphaul is definitely a baller but the coaching staff doesn't appear sold (not completely) yet on her as a true point guard but a combo guard..and is definitely looking to give the Howard University transfer Saniyah King a long look to see if she can fill a true point guard type role for the team similar to Denim Deshields. Could initially go either way with these two but at the end of the day expect the staff to build around 2024-25 MEAC Rookie Of The Year Saniyah King as she learns and adjusts.

Possible breakout season (potential) with any of these... Destiny Mcphaul and Kharyssa Richardson, Crisp and Prater . Gotta bring it though, we shall see.

In the midst of all this...
Juco transfer Awa Fane is a talented combo guard. Her main upside appears as a point guard. Just needs more developing, experience playing at a higher level..

Rocio Jimenez?..still crickets, though we shall see

6-1, 6-2 guard/wing Jaylah Lampley is a knockdown shooter. Lawrence Central High School, Indianapolis, Indiana. Played against high level in and out of state competition. They had another good scorer on the team to help carry the scoring load...sister 6-2 guard Lola Lampley (#20 ESPN, a leading candidate McDonald's All American 2026) and other teammates. Lampley sisters are talented. Not twins but not easy tell them apart on the court unless watching their numbers.

Another thing that helps give Jaylah an edge as a freshman is her ability to defend.

FWIW, Had lunch this week with a friend that has to be one of their most ardent supporters.
Sees every home game and almost all of the away.
That fan?s opinion is we will be in the bottom 3 of the SEC this year and most following years.
They feel the only way we move up
Is others move back because of other?s devaluing women?s hoops.

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Originally Posted by Cooterpoot

They're not going to be good

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Losing Okot showed where the state of this program is at. We're not prioritizing women's hoops. Purcell is trying, but we aren't allocating him enough resources.

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Originally Posted by Tater

Losing Okot showed where the state of this program is at. We're not prioritizing women's hoops. Purcell is trying, but we aren't allocating him enough resources.

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Regardless, they did manage to get standout freshman point guard transfer Saniyah King out of the transfer portal and managed to keep a couple of talented, experienced guards in Destiny Mcphaul and Chandler Prater. Also, guard Trayanna Crisp is a former starter at Arizona State...12.1 pts per gm. Kharyssa Richardson started at Auburn. Picked up a junior college All American 1st team guard...Awa Fane. Possibly 6-7 Rocio Jeminez getting healthy and looking to see her first action. Picked up 6-6 transfer Faith Wylder an up and coming young post talent who was injured for her freshman season at Stony Brook. Also, they have 3 very talented freshmen coming in. Yes, could have done better at retaining players from last season and better on paper in the transfer portal... but the group that they currently have to work with is certainly nothing to hang heads down about. Also, they're still looking to fill additional roster spots. Why throw in the towel? Possible this group could surprise.

Heads up..don't sleep on 6-3 freshman Nataliyah Gray. Possibly lead this team in scoring as a freshman. Destiny Mcphaul is capable of a breakout season and filling it up as well. Chandler Prater is a baller and she's tough. Also, Prater brings much needed length and defense on the perimeter. Freshman Madison Francis..high expectations. Jaylah Lampley...highest rated of the freshmen according to ESPN. Sophomore point guard transfer Saniyah King..true point guard.

Also, Ole Miss transfer Kharyssa Richardson gonna be on a serious mission..best lookout. Trayanna Crisp on a mission.

It's just June and fans already throwing in the towel?

Got a good look at freshman Jaylah Lampley last night in the Indiana vs Kentucky All Star Girls Game action. Lampley had 17 points but appeared out of it bad, appeared mentally out of it. Huge issues holding on to the ball, turnovers, issues holding on to passes, point blank missed, ect....literally self checked herself a good bit of the game. Appeared she had over 19 missed opportunities for various reasons..including one 2 points basket with the foul..one and one opportunity waived off by the referee. Though, she did nearly have the winning basketball in regulation but the referee waived it off as well. Lampley could have had 30 points last nights. Appears some really sloppy, bad looking basketball from her that helped cause the Indiana all star team the game. Appeared to be sleep walking through this game, though you could see flashes of her talent. Lot to clean up in her game..doesn't"t appear near ready at this point ...still though it's just early June and lots of time to clean things up better before the season. Games like this can end up being a good thing for a player..a wakeup call, motivation to get to work and clean things up. The LSU incoming McDonald's All American freshman on the other all star team (Kentucky All Stars) looked really impressive . LSU's guards for next season...some serious talent.

Destiny Mcphaul
https://x.com/hailstatewbk/status/18...07/mediaviewer

Destiny Mcphaul
https://x.com/hailstatewbk/status/18...98/mediaviewer

She has always reminded me of Zia Cooke

still can't open that but I feel like there are way too many unknowns on this team to be very consistent next season. maybe they all stay around and appear more cohesive in year 2 but who know nowadays? Purcells portal haul isn't near what the top SEC womens teams have brought it either. everyone loves a challenge, right?

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Originally Posted by Pancho

still can't open that but I feel like there are way too many unknowns on this team to be very consistent next season. maybe they all stay around and appear more cohesive in year 2 but who know nowadays? Purcells portal haul isn't near what the top SEC womens teams have brought it either. everyone loves a challenge, right?

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I agree, Purcell didn't hit the portal very hard but he did sign a top 10/15 high school class and is in the process of signing another top 10 class for next year as well so we will have some talent as long as we can keep them.

Appears that all of the current roster players are on campus for summer school and workouts accept for Madison Francis who was invited to the USA Under 19 National Team trials starting up June 19.

If the team had to play a game today (summer event) with the players currently on campus doing summer session and workouts.
(Starting Lineup..First 5)
-6-2 Kharyssa Richardson
- 6-3 Nataliyah Gray
-5-11 Chandler Prater
- 5-9 Destiny Mcphaul
- 5-8 Saniyah King
First Sub In... Trayanna Crisp

(Next 3)
- 5-8 Trayanna Crisp
- 6-1, 6-2 Jaylah Lampley
- 6-6 Faith Wylder

Note...
Can play an uptempo pressing style with this group, especially having junior college transfer Awa Fane available to help the guards. Her skill set appears well suited for this style and is very capable of pushing for playing time.

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Originally Posted by NCMSTFAN

I agree, Purcell didn't hit the portal very hard but he did sign a top 10/15 high school class and is in the process of signing another top 10 class for next year as well so we will have some talent as long as we can keep them.

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None of those top players stayed on campus to this point

Not enough size to effectively compete in the top tier.

Gonna be a tough season for the Lady Dawgs.

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Originally Posted by Cooterpoot

None of those top players stayed on campus to this point

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Not sure what you are talking about. Purcell signed a top 10 to 15 class (depending on what sight you look at) this year, 2025.

ESPN has our 2025 class at #11:

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-...class-rankings

247 has our 2025 class at #14:

https://247sports.com/season/2025-wo...eteamrankings/


He has also already gotten commitments from 2 top 60 girls in the class of 2026, Lani Smallwood and Andrea Flores:

https://247sports.com/Player/andrea-flores-46153830/
https://247sports.com/Player/lani-smallwood-46153037/

Purcell did have somewhat of a down off season in the portal but he recruited well with High School players and all three of those 2025 girls can play. They all have size and length as well (6'1" to 6'3"), Madison Francis will play a lot early and will probably start as a 3 or stretch 4. I understand we are in the portal age but that doesn't necessarily apply to Womens basketball as much as Mens basketball or football. Top high school players aren't as far off than the College players with the Women's game. If a girl is averaging 25 in High School at a 5A or 6A school, it typically translates to College

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Originally Posted by jdelta02

Appears that all of the current roster players are on campus for summer school and workouts accept for Madison Francis who was invited to the USA Under 19 National Team trials starting up June 19.

If the team had to play a game today (summer event) with the players currently on campus doing summer session and workouts.
(Starting Lineup..First 5)
-6-2 Kharyssa Richardson
- 6-3 Nataliyah Gray
-5-11 Chandler Prater
- 5-9 Destiny Mcphaul
- 5-8 Saniyah King
First Sub In... Trayanna Crisp

(Next 3)
- 5-8 Trayanna Crisp
- 6-1, 6-2 Jaylah Lampley
- 6-6 Faith Wylder

Note...
Can play an uptempo pressing style with this group, especially having junior college transfer Awa Fane available to help the guards. Her skill set appears well suited for this style and is very capable of pushing for playing time.

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6'7" Jimenez is currently practicing also

So you?re saying we have more size and talent than what?s been posted?

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Originally Posted by NCMSTFAN

Not sure what you are talking about. Purcell signed a top 10 to 15 class (depending on what sight you look at) this year, 2025.

ESPN has our 2025 class at #11:

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-...class-rankings

247 has our 2025 class at #14:

https://247sports.com/season/2025-wo...eteamrankings/


He has also already gotten commitments from 2 top 60 girls in the class of 2026, Lani Smallwood and Andrea Flores:

https://247sports.com/Player/andrea-flores-46153830/
https://247sports.com/Player/lani-smallwood-46153037/

Purcell did have somewhat of a down off season in the portal but he recruited well with High School players and all three of those 2025 girls can play. They all have size and length as well (6'1" to 6'3"), Madison Francis will play a lot early and will probably start as a 3 or stretch 4. I understand we are in the portal age but that doesn't necessarily apply to Womens basketball as much as Mens basketball or football. Top high school players aren't as far off than the College players with the Women's game. If a girl is averaging 25 in High School at a 5A or 6A school, it typically translates to College

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What I said, We keep signing them and they keep leaving

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Originally Posted by NCMSTFAN

6'7" Jimenez is currently practicing also

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Will never help us much

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Originally Posted by Cooterpoot

What I said, We keep signing them and they keep leaving

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And we will see them leave again next year and the year after... it will continue until the landscape of College sports changes. Ole Miss lost 8 girls, Ark lost 7, LSU 6, Missouri 6... its just what happens unfortunately

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Originally Posted by Thick

So you?re saying we have more size and talent than what?s been posted?

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He didn't post the full roster. Our girls with size:

6'1" Jayla Lampey
6'2" Kharyssa Richardson
6'2" Madison Francis
6'3" Natalia Gray
6'6" Faith Wylder
6'7" Rocio Jiminez

We have 11 total players and can carry 15, I don't know why Purcell didn't fill the roster.

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Originally Posted by NCMSTFAN

6'7" Jimenez is currently practicing also

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Im gonna continue to hold Rocio Jimenez out of any player rotation listings for now. Let her go through these summer workouts and see how her physical status responds. Reevaluate her status during the fall. (Note) Her physical well being extends past the game of basketball.

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Originally Posted by jdelta02

Im gonna continue to hold Rocio Jimenez out of any player rotation listings for now. Let her go through these summer workouts and see how her physical status responds. Reevaluate her status during the fall. (Note) Her physical well being extends past the game of basketball.

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She's on the roster and she's at practice so all we can do is assume she's ready to go until we hear she's not. This is her 3rd year at State, she's never touched the floor... if she's still not ready Purcell should have addressed that in the portal, JUCO rankings or high school and got another true big since we lost all 3 of our Center.(2 to transfer and 1 to graduation).

Im counting her in until I hear otherwise but thats on Purcell if he didn't get a true big and we still sit here with 4 remaining scholarships. I do like the fact that we have some size and length at the forward and wing spots, that will help but in the SEC you have to have that true big to anchor the middle. Yes we have 6'6 Wilder as well but is she ready?

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Originally Posted by NCMSTFAN

Not sure what you are talking about. Purcell signed a top 10 to 15 class (depending on what sight you look at) this year, 2025.

ESPN has our 2025 class at #11:

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-...class-rankings

247 has our 2025 class at #14:

https://247sports.com/season/2025-wo...eteamrankings/


He has also already gotten commitments from 2 top 60 girls in the class of 2026, Lani Smallwood and Andrea Flores:

https://247sports.com/Player/andrea-flores-46153830/
https://247sports.com/Player/lani-smallwood-46153037/

Purcell did have somewhat of a down off season in the portal but he recruited well with High School players and all three of those 2025 girls can play. They all have size and length as well (6'1" to 6'3"), Madison Francis will play a lot early and will probably start as a 3 or stretch 4. I understand we are in the portal age but that doesn't necessarily apply to Womens basketball as much as Mens basketball or football. Top high school players aren't as far off than the College players with the Women's game. If a girl is averaging 25 in High School at a 5A or 6A school, it typically translates to College

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I agree that incoming freshman Madison Francis is projected to start in the frontcourt. I have her as a starter as well. Also, Coach Purcell indicated that he felt that she is a "special player". Appears she's not expected to arrive until some point after her participation with the USA Under 19 National Team trials and team. Freshman Nataliyah Gray is a starter up front as well. Gray is a double double waiting to happen even as a freshman. The 3rd freshman Jaylah Lampley, the highest rated of the three. Is she ready? We shall see.

Dushawn London analysis from 247 Sports reported a few weeks ago that Miss. State was one of the teams in contract with Colorado transfer Ayianna Johnson. She's listed as a 6-3 center/power, appears she plays both positions as needed.. Noted for her strength and toughness in the post area. Haven't heard anything else regarding her since..been a few weeks The coaches have been keeping info regarding these transfers pretty much under wraps.They could pick up this player or easily be a totally different player or no player at all..this stuff goes in multiple directions.

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Originally Posted by jdelta02

I agree that incoming freshman Madison Francis is projected to start in the frontcourt. I have her as a starter as well. Also, Coach Purcell indicated that he felt that she is a "special player". Appears she's not expected to arrive until some point after her participation with the USA Under 19 National Team trials and team. Freshman Nataliyah Gray is a starter up front as well. Gray is a double double waiting to happen even as a freshman. The 3rd freshman Jaylah Lampley, the highest rated of the three. Is she ready? We shall see.

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As the freshmen get up to speed, and the 2: sophomores adjust...this team can definitely compete. Also, they know that Destiny Mcphaul gonna be really good.

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Originally Posted by jdelta02

As the freshmen get up to speed, and the 2: sophomores adjust...this team can definitely compete. Also, they know that Destiny Mcphaul gonna be really good.

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I just cannot see that.

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Originally Posted by ZedFedder

I just cannot see that.

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put you maroon and white glasses on then!

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Originally Posted by ZedFedder

I just cannot see that.

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I will say this, from a far this team looks average on paper. We have some solid pieces and good incoming Freshman but nothing to think we will be a top half team. But if you really followed last year's team our only big loss is Okot. We will definitely miss Jerk and Powe because they were dawgs and leaders but neither had blow away seasons from an impact and percentage standpoint, if you watched the games you know what I mean.

As for Mcphaul and Prater they both played starter minutes, were 2nd and 3rd in fg% behind Okot, and were 1st and 2nd on the team in free throw % playing 20 plus minutes a game a piece. They are solid returners. The biggest question is how ready our Freshman will be because I can see them playing alot. The verdict is also still out for the transfers, im not sure how they will fit in yet to be honest