Former head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs women’s basketball team and ex-professional player Nikki Mccray, 51, died suddenly. Today, July 7, 2023, was announced as Nikki Mccray’s death day.
At the time of her passing, neither the circumstances nor the precise nature of her demise were revealed. According to some accounts, Nikki Mccray died after battling breast cancer twice.
When the lovely Nikki Mccray unexpectedly passed away, everyone was shocked and heartbroken. Her family chose not to publicize the details of her funeral and memorial service.
Who Was Nikki Mccray?
McCray-Penson had a distinguished career at Collierville High School near Memphis before winning twice the SEC Player of the Year award while playing for Tennessee in 1994 and 1995.
After playing, she coached for 16 years, earning her a spot in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
During her coaching career, she worked as Dawn Staley’s assistant at South Carolina and held the head coaching positions at Old Dominion and Mississippi State.
McCray, a guard from the University of Tennessee, was 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) tall. She played for many WNBA clubs, including the Chicago Sky, Washington Mystics, Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury, and San Antonio Silver Stars.
McCray was chosen three times to the WNBA All-Star teams in 1999, 2000, and 2001 due to her remarkable abilities. She accumulated 2,550 points throughout her career.
McCray began coaching after a successful playing career and is currently an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina. She was reunited with her former teammate, Dawn Staley, the head coach. Thus, it was a comfortable setting for her. McCray adopted her coaching role and found a new home at the University of South Carolina.
Tributes:
Everyone is shocked by the sudden death of beloved Nikki Mccray; she was a good person who would be lost by all who knew her. People are paying respect to her and giving condolences on social media.
“Please keep the family of Nikki McCray-Penson in your thoughts and prayers. She has passed away after battling breast cancer a second time. Former Lady Vol player, Olympian, WNBA player, and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee was 51 years old. This is a gut punch and heartbreaking.”
“Very sad to see this message this morning. Nikki was one of my dad’s Richard favorite players. He went to all her High School games and followed her during her time in Tennessee. She is a member of the Collierville High School Sports Hall of Fame, the Tennessee State Sports Hall of Fame, and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Such a great talent and teacher went too soon. RIP.”
Amelia Warner
Amelia Warner writes all the Latest Articles. She mostly covers Entertainment topics, but at times loves to write about movie reviews as well.
