STARKVILLE — Nikki McCray-Penson earned her biggest pledge of the offseason Tuesday as five-star guard Madison Hayes announced her intention to stick with her commitment to Mississippi State via Twitter.
Hayes — who never asked for a release from the national letter of intent she signed prior to Vic Schaefer’s departure — will join the Bulldogs after a standout high school career at East Hamilton High School in Ooltewah, Tennessee. As a junior, she averaged 25.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Hayes was rated the No. 28 player in the ESPN HoopGurlz top 100 class of 2020 rankings and earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors in Tennessee.
“As we move forward, it’s more about learning the vision, the style of play, and where they see themselves,” McCray-Penson said in response to a question regarding her communication with Hayes during her introductory press conference on April 14. “That’s where we’re getting to next. It’s just getting a feel for them and their needs. All the conversations have been great, and everyone is awesome.”
With Hayes on board heading into next season, McCray-Penson now has 10 scholarship players under her watch as she begins her tenure in Starkville.
The Bulldogs were rated No. 3 in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early top 25 rankings earlier this spring and will return second team All-SEC selections Rickea Jackson and Jessika Carter. Jackson was also named to the SEC All-Freshman team.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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