Women's basketball team

[jdelta02]

USC's women's basketball team had 7 freshmen and 3 sophomores on it's roster this past season. (Note) They beat Miss. State by 37 points, 96-59 in the NCAA Tournament this past season.

(Note)
USC had picked up freshmen JuJu Watkins and Aaliyah Gales the season before then picked up 7 more freshman for this past season...fairly quickly they elevated to powerhouse level in women's college basketball. Possible a type of blueprint on how to quickly build a top program without being heavily dependent on the transfer portal. In recent seasons Miss. State's women's basketball program hasn't been able to compete at the level of the top teams in the SEC and nationally via riding the transfers they've been bringing in. Though, they did make 2 out of the last 3 NCAA Tournaments and beat Oklahoma this past season...nearly beat Texas. Now they appear to be starting to go much more the high school (similar to described of USC) route mixed with transfers as a combination, and looking to follow that up with another strong freshman class next season while still mixing in transfers as needed. Also, note Coach Purcell and an assistant were recently at an event watching Jaylah Lampley's highly rated sister Lola Lampley (#20 ESPN class of 2026). She's a leading candidate for 2025-26 McDonald's All American.

[EdwardDrayton]

At a higher level Purcell has three years under his belt and his conference record is .500. And it has slipped slightly every year. Yes, we have made the tourney two out of three but seems like this is the year we need to show some improvement. And the outlook at this juncture does not look promising.

[jdelta02]

Saw today where Coach Purcell did a media interview team update. Based on his comments appears they are stressing spacing the floor on offense. Players currently working hard, also 2 days a week of open gym. Also, appears they are expecting to add another player to the roster soon (within next 2 weeks).

Noticed...
The 2 positions that he basically didn't speak on in this interview were the point guard spot and the 4 spot. Give it time.
My opinion
Point Guard - Saniyah King
Stretch 4- Nataliyah Gray

[NCMSTFAN]

Saw you where Coach Purcell did a media interview update. Based on his comments appears they are stressing spacing the floor on offense. Players currently working hard, also 2 days a week of open gym. Also, appears they are expecting to add another player to the roster soon (within next 2 weeks).

Noticed...
The 2 positions that he basically didn't speak on in this interview were the point guard spot and the 4 spot. Give it time.
My opinion
Point Guard - Saniyah King
Stretch 4- Nataliyah Gray

I was glad to hear he wasn't done recruiting for the year yet and is possibly adding another piece. He mentioned this new player when talking about the bigs so it sounds like she is a big.

[jdelta02]

Madison Francis' dunk from high school game this past season that went viral. She dunked again within 10 days of this one.

https://youtube.com/shorts/aBwrpqADn...JVCeJzoVCtd9c9

[StarkVegasSteve]

Madison Francis' dunk from high school game this past season that went viral. She dunked again within 10 days of this one.

https://youtube.com/shorts/aBwrpqADn...JVCeJzoVCtd9c9

It feels like she's going to be Sam's Vivians. Seems like she's going to have a ton of hype as a Freshman and people will be expecting her to produce immediately.

[NCMSTFAN]

It feels like she's going to be Sam's Vivians. Seems like she's going to have a ton of hype as a Freshman and people will be expecting her to produce immediately.

She's a star in the making. There is a reason she is with Team USA U19 right now. Whether she makes that team or not just being invited is huge. She did play for the Team USA U18 last year too with girls like Sarah Stong who was one of the best players in the nation if not the best as a Freshman from UCONN, so she has played against the best and is battle tested, she will be ready from day 1.

My only concern is will we be able to keep her? Purcell flew out to watch her yesterday:

https://x.com/SamPurcellMSU/status/1...907648/photo/1

[jdelta02]

General
Recent videos i've seen Rocio Jimenez looks to move well in non on court. Doesn't appear hampered in any way. Whole team(on and off campus) looks to be healthy, enjoying themselves and bonding. Also, according to Sam Purcell the women's basketball team is expected to announce an additional player to it's roster soon. Noticed Chandler Prater appears to have taken on a leadership role on this team as well as a representative of the university.

Freshmen
Again, hold the presses...in my opinion the sleeper on this whole team is 6-3 freshman Nataliyah Gray out of Houston TX. She's a double double waiting to happen, shot blocker, 3 level scorer, guard skills, and appears to fit into Fred Castro's offense like a glove. Also, 6'1, 6'2 freshman Jaylah Lampley is a very good 3 pt shooter especially in the catch and shoot, has guard skills, and is a noted defender. Fits into the offensive system as well..glove. Appears the staff is looking to possibly add her sister(class of 2026) to come play with her as well. Been seeing where head coach and teammates speaking highly of the effort and progress both have been making. Incoming freshman Madison Francis coming in with the most hype out of the 3... expected to arrive in Starkville in the coming weeks will be a good bit behind these two in regards to summer workouts, other on campus development related. After she and the anticipated new player arrive will see how they adjust and blend in with the current players and the team's system, needs, objectives, ect.... helping give more insight on the bigger picture regarding personnel as the team moves closer and closer to fall practice and the start of the 2025-26 season.

.

[jdelta02]

Found these Trayonna Crisp highlights. (Note) Averaged 12.1 points per game 33.3 percent 3 points range at Arizona State.
https://youtu.be/flOr-bOhX58?si=8lpa5wQK1kPQARD-

[jdelta02]

(Practice video) Kharyssa Richardson looks like a baller (eye test). Coach Purcell mentioned in a press conference a few days ago her being an explosive player. Freshman Nataliyah Gray, impressive, can be seen showing just a glimpse of her skill, talent. These 2 gone be a problem. Also, Faith Wylder showing athleticism while executing a solid post move. Other players making perimeter shots.
https://x.com/HailStateWBK/status/1937977770069430567

[jdelta02]

Meanwhile....👁️
Coach Yo's squad going at it as well
https://x.com/OleMissWBB/status/1937276587948327162
🥱🙃Just kidding around, impressive looking squad.

[99jc]

Meanwhile....��️
Coach Yo's squad going at it as well
https://x.com/OleMissWBB/status/1937276587948327162
����Just kidding around, impressive looking squad.

I really appreciate your Womens BB post but please refrain from posting any ole miss videos it gives me diarrhea!***

[ScottH]

When do we get Sam's announcement he hinted at?

[NCMSTFAN]

When do we get Sam's announcement he hinted at?

Good question, from what I've gathered it is supposed to be a big. Possibly another overseas hidden gem? That's the only thing I could think of that would take two weeks to announce as he stated.

*Edit..... Purcell just posted on Twitter that we are getting some good news this 4th of July week so it sounds like we find out this week.

https://x.com/SamPurcellMSU/status/1939678762703970369

[NCMSTFAN]

https://hailstate.com/news/2025/6/30...2025-26-roster

Here is the announcement player Sam was talking about. Like I thought an overseas big, she sounds like another good steal.

[jdelta02]

Listed 6-3 Favour Onyinye Nwaedozi from Nigeria. Indicates that she played her college ball in Japan. Kansai Women's Basketball this past season averaging 26 pts 17 rebounds per game. Miss. State media indicating that she's the real deal and that she has that wow factor.

Anyone have any video? Saw a short snippet of her making an acrobatic layup..can see the wow factor on that play. Still won't nothing be given to her, gotta come in and earn it. Same for Madison Francis. Everyone on the team has the same opportunity to come in work hard, keep getting better, and continue to prove themselves.

Miss. State's frontcourt looking stout

[basedog]

Listed 6-3 Favour Nwaedozi from Nigeria. Indicates that she played her college ball in Japan. Kansai Women's Basketball this past season averaging 26 pts 17 rebounds per game. Miss. State media indicating that she's the real deal and that she has that wow factor.

Anyone have any video? Saw a short snippet of her making an acrobatic layup..can see the wow factor on that play. Still won't nothing be given to her, gotta come in and earn it. Same for Madison Francis. Everyone on the team has the same opportunity to come in work hard, keep getting better, and continue to prove themselves.

Miss. State's frontcourt looking stout

Very impressive stats.

[Saltydog]

Purcell is trash. No control over the team. I see players walk away from him when he's talking to them and their body language is terrible. He was supposed to be this great recruiter but so far I haven't seen it. in the meantime, our friends up north are the better program right now. You can keep drinking your maroon kool aid but this team will stink.