June 20, 2025

Mississippi State Women’s Basketball Roster Transformation Ahead of New Season

SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORS!

Want to target the right audience? Sponsor our site and choose your specific industry to connect with a relevant audience.

What Sponsors Receive:

Prominent brand mentions across targeted, industry-focused articles

High-visibility placements that speak directly to an engaged local audience

Guaranteed coverage that maximizes exposure and reinforces your brand presence

Interested in seeing what sponsored content looks like on our platform?

Browse Examples of Sponsored News and Articles:

May’s Roofing & Contracting
Forwal Construction
NSC Clips
Real Internet Sales
Suited
Florida4Golf

Click the button below to sponsor our articles:

News Summary

The Mississippi State women’s basketball team is transforming its roster ahead of the upcoming season, with seven players departing, including two starters. Coach Sam Purcell supports the players’ decisions to transfer and is committed to rebuilding the team with new talent. As the Bulldogs prepare for the challenges ahead, they look to integrate transfers and promising recruits into the program. Notable changes also include an emphasis on enhancing post play and improving athletic facilities to boost recruitment efforts.

Starkville, Mississippi – The Mississippi State women’s basketball team is set to undergo a major transformation as they prepare for the 2025-26 season under the leadership of fourth-year coach Sam Purcell. Following a significant retooling period, the Bulldogs have seen seven players leave the roster, including two key starters who have chosen to transfer to in-state rival Ole Miss.

Among the departures, three-year starter Debreasha Powe made her commitment to Ole Miss on April 15, and starting point guard Denim DeShields followed suit on April 21. Coach Purcell expressed understanding and support for the decisions of these players, recognizing Powe’s contributions to the program, both on and off the court.

Powe has been a cornerstone of the Mississippi State lineup, starting in 98 games over her three-year career and averaging 8.4 points per game during the 2024-25 season with a commendable three-point shooting rate of 37.3%. DeShields, who transferred from UAB last season, also made her mark with an average of 5.7 points and 3.2 assists per game across 34 starts.

The Bulldogs will square off against Ole Miss during the regular season, although the specific date of the match-up is yet to be determined. The upheaval in the roster comes on the heels of Mississippi State’s performance in the NCAA tournament, where they reached the second round. With the top four scorers from last season now departed, the team faces a considerable rebuilding challenge.

In addition to Powe and DeShields, several other players have exited the program. Starting center Madina Okot has transferred to South Carolina, while key contributors JerKaila Jordan and Eniya Russell have exhausted their eligibility. These changes mark a significant shift for the Bulldogs, who will now work to integrate new talent into their lineup.

To fill the void, Mississippi State has actively pursued new recruits, adding four transfers to their roster. Among these players is forward Kharyssa Richardson, who joins from Ole Miss after averaging 3.7 points off the bench last season. Furthermore, the Bulldogs secured commitments from three high school four-star recruits: Jaylah Lampley, Madison Francis, and Nataliyah Gray, adding promising young talent to the program.

Coach Purcell has indicated that further announcements regarding the roster could be forthcoming, signaling ongoing recruitment efforts. He highlighted the necessity of embracing the evolving landscape of college sports, focusing on individual growth to build a cohesive and competitive team.

Returning players Destiney McPhaul and Chandler Prater are expected to take on more prominent roles next season, with each poised to contribute significantly after showcasing their abilities previously. McPhaul delivered a standout performance during the SEC tournament, while Prater is anticipated to expand her influence following recovery from an injury sustained earlier.

One of the key challenges faced by the team last season was the struggle with post play, exacerbated by Okot’s departure. Therefore, the coaching staff is prioritizing recruitment to bolster this important aspect of their game as they prepare for the future.

In light of these changes, Coach Purcell expressed enthusiasm for pending renovations to the athletic facilities, which are expected to enhance the team’s recruiting efforts and overall program visibility. He remains committed to a proactive approach in adapting to the challenges ahead while fostering a positive environment for growth and development.