Former WNBA star Nikki McCray-Penson is dead at 51.
Nikki McCray-Penson, a former hooper for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers and WNBA star, sadly passed away at the age of 51.
Rutgers University, where McCray-Penson was employed as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team, confirmed the tragic news to The Tennesean on Friday.
The reason of death was not disclosed by the school, however Maria Cornelius, a reporter for the University of Tennessee, claimed that McCray-Penson died after battling breast cancer twice.
In the 1990s, the former guard was a standout player at Tennessee, taking home two SEC Player of the Year titles (1994, 1995) and two Kodak All-American selections.
After playing with the Vols, she spent eight seasons with the Mystics, Fever, Mercury, Silver Stars, and Sky before going on to become a three-time WNBA All-Star.
She was also inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012 and won two gold Olympic medals with Team USA during her career.
When she was brought on board by Western Kentucky as an assistant in 2006, she started her career as a coach. She afterwards took over as Old Dominion’s head coach, and in 2019–2020, she was named C–USA Coach of the Year. After that, she served as head coach of Mississippi State for a brief period of time before starting her career at Rutgers in 2022.
Outside of the court, McCray-Penson made a big impression when Bill Clinton appointed her to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. In 1999, the Library of Congress selected her to give the Women’s History Month Address.
The basketball world has been shocked by the news of her death, and many celebrities have expressed their good memories of her.
Former NBA player Chris Webber wrote, “Nikki McCray: Sweet person and cold hooper!” “May you rest in peace.”
“I am really heartbroken hearing this news about Nikki McCray – Penson a few minutes ago,” said Dick Vitale. I adored Nikki in every way; both as a player and a person, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame. May Nikki rest in peace.”
Playing for Mississippi State under McCray-Penson, Lady Vols senior Rickea Jackson also expressed her sympathies to the McCray-Penson family.
Jackson called the person “one of the most lovely beings I’ve ever encountered.” “The person who sincerely made an effort to comprehend me during a time when I was greatly misinterpreted. the one who never failed to show up.”
“I’m glad I got to know you since you battled for a very long time. I cherish you. You can relax.”
