Nikki McCray facts for kids
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| Born | December 17, 1971 Collierville, Tennessee, U.S. |
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| Died | July 7, 2023 (aged 51) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| High school | Collierville (Collierville, Tennessee) |
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| Listed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 158 lb (72 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| College | Tennessee (1991–1995) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 1996–2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coaching career | 2006–2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| As player: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–1997 | Columbus Quest | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2001 | Washington Mystics | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2003 | Indiana Fever | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Phoenix Mercury | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | San Antonio Stars | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006 | Chicago Sky | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| As coach: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2008 | Western Kentucky (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2017 | South Carolina (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2020 | Old Dominion | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2021 | Mississippi State | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2023 | Rutgers (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nikki Kesangane McCray-Penson (born December 17, 1971 – died July 7, 2023) was an American basketball star and coach. She played professional basketball for ten years, from 1996 to 2006. Nikki was the head coach for the Mississippi State Bulldogs women's basketball team from 2020 to 2021. She also played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) for eight seasons. After leaving the WNBA in 2008, McCray became an assistant coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks. In 2012, Nikki McCray-Penson was honored by being added to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Nikki McCray's Playing Career
Nikki McCray was a talented 5-foot-11-inch (1.80 m) guard who played for the University of Tennessee. She was a key player for several WNBA teams. These included the Washington Mystics, the Indiana Fever, the Phoenix Mercury, the San Antonio Silver Stars, and the Chicago Sky.
WNBA and ABL Achievements
McCray was chosen for the WNBA All-Star team three times. She earned this honor in 1999, 2000, and 2001. During her WNBA career, she scored an impressive 2,550 points. Before joining the WNBA in 1998, she was a big star in the American Basketball League (ABL). She was even named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the ABL for the 1996–97 season.
International Basketball Success
Nikki McCray also played basketball for her country on the world stage. She won gold medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She also played for the American team in the 1998 FIBA World Championship. McCray was known as a top defender, often stopping some of the best players in the world.
Community Recognition
In 2000, Nikki was chosen to be a member of the President's Fitness Council. This shows her dedication to health and sports beyond the court. She was also selected for the 2000 USA Olympic basketball team.
Nikki McCray's Coaching Career
After her playing days, McCray became an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina. She joined her former teammate, Dawn Staley, who was the head coach there.
Working with Coach Dawn Staley
Dawn Staley spoke highly of McCray's coaching abilities. She said that Nikki was very eager to succeed. Staley believed this came from Nikki's time playing at Tennessee, where her coach always pushed for excellence. Staley admired Nikki's energy, confidence, and ability to connect with people. These are all important qualities for coaching and finding new players. They had played together in two Olympic Games and shared a winning mindset.
Head Coach Role and Health
Later, Nikki McCray-Penson became the head coach at Mississippi State. She resigned from this role in October 2021. She stepped down due to health reasons.
Nikki McCray's Other Work
Besides her basketball career, Nikki McCray also made a difference in her community.
Serving on the President's Council
In 2000, President Bill Clinton personally selected Nikki McCray to join the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. This council promotes healthy living and physical activity across the country.
Keynote Speaker at the Library of Congress
In 1999, The Library of Congress asked McCray to be the main speaker for their Women's History Month Address. Jean Parker, who managed the Federal Women's Program, said they were happy to have Ms. McCray. She was seen as a great role model for young people. This was because she played for the first women's professional basketball team in the nation's capital and did a lot of community service.
Nikki McCray's Personal Life
In 2013, while working as a coach at South Carolina, McCray was diagnosed with breast cancer. She successfully went into remission later that same year.
Sadly, Nikki McCray passed away on July 7, 2023. At the time, she was working as an assistant coach for Rutgers. She was 51 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Nikki McCray para niños
