Mississippi State center Jessika Carter was selected late in the second round of the WNBA Draft — 23rd overall — by the New York Liberty on Monday night.
Carter is the first Bulldog to be drafted since 2019, when Teiara McCowan and Anriel Howard were both selected, and the ninth in program history.
Over a six-year collegiate career in Starkville, Carter became one of the most decorated players to ever don the maroon and white. She is the program’s all-time leader in games played and finished with 1,750 points (sixth in MSU history), 1,120 rebounds (second) and 238 blocks (third).
After playing a reserve role as a freshman, Carter entered the starting lineup in 2019-20, which turned out to be Vic Schaefer’s last season as head coach, and averaged 13 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Carter was arguably even better during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season, but redshirted the following year due to personal reasons and went through a myriad of mental health battles, which she opened up about via social media.
She returned to the floor after head coach Sam Purcell arrived in 2022 and earned second-team all-Southeastern Conference honors in each of the last two campaigns. Carter recorded 13 double-doubles in her final season, a year after helping the Bulldogs reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“Our fan base and staff have known for years that Jessika Carter is a pro,” Purcell said. “The New York Liberty not only drafted a great player, but a phenomenal person and role model. From her dominance on the court to the way she attacks every day, there is no doubt that her best basketball is ahead of her and we are excited to watch how she will continue to leave her mark in the league.”
The Liberty, led by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, finished 32-8 in 2023 and defeated the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun in the playoffs before losing in the WNBA Finals to the Las Vegas Aces, three games to one.
A roster spot for Carter is no sure thing, through no fault of her own. With just 12 players per team and 12 teams in the league, just 15 of the 36 players selected in last year’s draft were on opening day rosters.
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