Avast ye scurvy dogs! The lass known as Nikki McCray-Penson, a swashbucklin' Hall of Famer in the basketball seas, be takin' her final voyage at the age of 51.
2023-07-07
Arrr, me hearties! 'Tis a sad day o' woe, for the mighty Nikki McCray-Penson, a lass who shone bright in the field o' sport, hath departed this mortal coil at the young age o' 51. She be a fierce SEC Pirate, a WNBA treasure, an Olympic gold hoarder, and a C-USA Captain. Farewell, fair maiden, may ye find calm seas in Davy Jones' locker.
Nikki McCray-Penson, a renowned figure in women's basketball, sadly passed away at the age of 51. As an assistant coach for the Rutgers women's basketball team, she had made a significant impact in the sport. The news of her death was announced by the school. McCray-Penson's most notable coaching stint was alongside Dawn Staley at the University of South Carolina, where they enjoyed a successful tenure from 2008 to 2017, culminating in a national championship win in her final season with the Gamecocks.Prior to coaching, McCray-Penson had an illustrious career as a player. She shone at the University of Tennessee from 1991 to 1995, earning the title of SEC Player of the Year twice. Although her team, the 1995 Vols, lost in the national championship to UConn, McCray-Penson continued to excel in the WNBA, playing for nine seasons and earning three All-Star selections. She also achieved Olympic gold in 1996 and 2000.
After retiring from playing in 2006, McCray-Penson transitioned into coaching, starting as an assistant at Western Kentucky. She later became the head coach at Old Dominion, where she was named the C-USA Coach of the Year in 2020. McCray-Penson's coaching career also included a season as the head coach at Mississippi State, where she achieved a record of 63-48.
McCray-Penson's battle with breast cancer began in 2013 during her time at South Carolina. Despite her diagnosis, she continued to live life to the fullest and left a lasting impact on those around her. She was known for her positive energy and dedication to mentoring young players.
In recognition of her contributions to the sport, McCray-Penson was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. Her passing is a great loss to the basketball community, but her legacy will continue to inspire others.