Former American basketball player and esteemed coach Nikki McCray-Penson, who had won two Olympic gold medals, tragically passed away at the age of 51. The news of her death was confirmed by Rutgers University, where McCray-Penson served as an assistant women’s basketball coach last season. She had been battling breast cancer since her diagnosis in 2013.
McCray-Penson’s impactful career in basketball spanned both on and off the court. She gained recognition as an assistant coach alongside Dawn Staley at South Carolina from 2008 to 2017, playing a vital role in the Gamecocks’ historic triumph in clinching their first national championship in 2017. Her exceptional talent and commitment led her to secure gold medals as part of the U.S. women’s basketball team during the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. Notably, McCray-Penson’s participation in the 1996 Olympics marked a significant milestone, as it sparked the inception of both the WNBA and ABL leagues. Furthermore, she was crowned the ABL MVP in 1997 before transitioning to the WNBA, where she played for the Washington Mystics and achieved three All-Star selections.
Following her illustrious playing career, McCray-Penson continued to contribute to the sport as a coach. After her retirement in 2006, she took up an assistant coaching position at Western Kentucky for three seasons before assuming the role of head coach at Old Dominion, where she achieved an impressive 24-6 record in 2020. She then briefly coached at Mississippi State before stepping down due to health reasons. McCray-Penson’s enduring passion for the game led her back to coaching at Rutgers last season, where she made a significant impact on the program.
McCray-Penson’s basketball journey began at the University of Tennessee, where she played under the guidance of Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt from 1991 to 1995. During her time as a Lady Vol, she earned the distinction of being a two-time SEC Player of the Year and a two-time Kodak All-America standout.
In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the sport, McCray-Penson was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012, leaving an indelible mark on the basketball community. Her legacy as both a player and a coach will continue to inspire future generations of athletes.
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