STARKVILLE — The 2023 recruiting class for Mississippi State just got one recruit bigger in a big way as forward Quanirah Cherry-Montague committed to and signed with the Bulldogs on Tuesday.
Known by most as “Nir Nir,” the 6-foot-6 post player was the highest recruit of first-year head coach Sam Purcell’s first recruiting cycle in Starkville, ranked as the No. 48 player in ESPN’s top 100.
Cherry-Montague is coming from a long way to MSU, currently from and playing for Atlantic City High School in New Jersey, but she’s been on the radar for a number of schools, including the Bulldogs.
Now, she and her family can enjoy the splendor of Tuesday’s college commitment, which she did in the ACHS gym on Tuesday afternoon.
“The team, the coaches, how they play, it all stood out to me,” Cherry-Montague said. “I watched a few of their practices and I knew that’s exactly where I wanted to be.”
She had a fantastic introduction into high school action as a freshman, battled injury troubles during the COVID-19-shortened 2021 season in New Jersey and came back better than ever with Atlantic City as a junior.
Her junior year was her best season by far, averaging a double-double, with 13.8 points per game and 12.5 rebounds per game as well as 3.3 blocks a game and just over two steals a game.
She’ll be the tallest player on next year’s roster, edging out current redshirt senior Jessika Carter and junior Charlotte Kohl by an inch, which is going to give Purcell plenty to work with on the floor.
“This young lady is special,” Purcell said in a team press release. “Q is an extremely versatile post player. She has the size and a special skill set that many players don’t have. She stretches the floor and can play inside and out.”
She wasn’t just a menace on the floor in high school, but in the AAU circuit as well, playing under coach DJ Pauldo with the New Jersey Sparks, who currently have a number of Division 1 talent on their roster.
That includes highly-touted class of 2025 recruits Mia and Mya Pauldo, among others.
Cherry-Montague has played amongst the best of the best in the country over the summer and has more than proven herself to be a future force in the SEC, playing against the likes of South Carolina, LSU and more.
“(Purcell) was telling me that I could be a big impact on their team and he was going to help me to be where I wanted to be,” Cherry-Montague said.
Coming into Tuesday afternoon’s announcement, it was between Ohio State, Penn State and Mississippi State, and in the battle of the States, Starkville came out on top for Cherry-Montague.
MSU has not been afraid to recruit from the New Jersey/Philadelphia/NYC area before, with two players from that area on this year’s roster and three from the region on last year’s roster.
Cherry-Montague is excited to add onto the legacy of that and create her own, representing the Garden State and Atlantic City. She’s one of the highest-rated recruits across all sports in the history of her high school.
“It’s very exciting,” Cherry-Montague said. “I’m happy to show everyone what I can do, getting more exposure and getting people that might not know me to see what I can do.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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