Remembering Nikki McCray-Penson
Jul 10 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Scarlet Knight community continues to mourn the loss of Rutgers women's basketball assistant coach Nikki McCray-Penson after her passing on Friday, July 7 at the age of 51.
"Today is a deeply sad and emotional day for everyone who knew and loved Nikki," head coach Coquese Washington said. "Nikki had a big smile and an even bigger heart. She was full of life, energy, and was so much fun to be around. Nikki touched the lives of many because she made it her mission to uplift others and help them achieve whatever dreams and goals they expressed. She was so devoted to her husband and son, and still gave all of herself to everyone in the program. We will miss her dearly but will keep Nikki's memory alive in our hearts."
Rutgers Community mourns the loss of Women's Basketball Assistant Coach Nikki McCray-Penson ❤️
— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) July 7, 2023
📰: https://t.co/Q7jeFEoIlj#GoRU | #RUWBB pic.twitter.com/xWi5Joil2Y
There is no doubt McCray-Penson made an immeasurable impact on the court with her countless accomplishments such as being a three-time All-Star, Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA, just to name a few. However, she also had equally as big of an influence off the hardwood, touching the lives of so many family members, friends, teammates and student-athletes, leaving everlasting memories.
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 7, 2023
— Town of Collierville (@ColliervilleGov) July 7, 2023
The Town is saddened to hear about the passing of Nikki McCray-Penson. Nikki was one of the greatest athletes in the Town's history who started her basketball career at Collierville High School then became a College All-American, WNBA All-Star, and two-time Olympic gold medalist. pic.twitter.com/4u6ft4CWnW
Women's Basketball Hall of Famer and Rutgers women's basketball assistant coach Nikki McCray-Penson has died at age 51, a university spokesperson confirmed to The Athletic on Friday.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 7, 2023
More from @benpickman: https://t.co/1nKGtF1DrP pic.twitter.com/rpliqS3kPD
Tributes are pouring in for women's basketball trailblazer Nikki McCray-Penson. She was a star player at the University of Tennessee and went on to play in the WNBA. She won Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2000. Nikki Mccray-Penson was 51. pic.twitter.com/kGxKChAHRc
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) July 7, 2023
McCray-Penson's dedication to the sport of basketball can be seen and felt in all the student-athletes she guided during her 15 years of coaching at the collegiate level. She passed on her knowledge and love of the sport to players and staff at Rutgers from the minute she stepped on campus in the summer of 2022. Her legacy will not only live on with the Scarlet Knights, but with all the programs she had a hand in building.
In the 2022-23 season, McCray-Penson helped her past WNBA teammate and dear friend Coquese Washington set a solid foundation for Rutgers women's basketball. She aided the team in reaching its 1,000th win with a victory over Minnesota (Jan. 12) on the road, becoming the 22nd Division I team and the third squad in the Big Ten to reach the milestone.
Rest in peace to the strongest person I've had the pleasure of knowing. The best mentor and role model I could've asked for in a coach.❤️🕊️ pic.twitter.com/aSTZqXNu8G
— Jillian Huerter (@JillianHuerter) July 7, 2023
— streets🤘🏼 (@AbbyStreeter) July 7, 2023
Rest In Peace . A true warrior. Thankful for our talks and the lessons . You made me a better & stronger person. Please keep rutgers WBB and her family in your prayers . 🙏🏻🤍 pic.twitter.com/8fzTuwjkV5
McCray-Penson also guided freshman guard Kaylene Smikle in finding success, as she was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team (Media & Coaches) in addition to the All-Freshman team (Media & Coaches). The guard also collected three Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, the most in program history. With McCray-Penson's help, Smikle became the all-time leading freshman scorer in program history, ending the season with 573 points, beating the previous best of 536. She paced the team with 17.9 points per game in addition to averaging 19.5 points in Big Ten play and ranked top 10 in the conference with 56 three-pointers and 69 steals.
A 2020 WBCA National Coach of the Year finalist, McCray-Penson has won championships at all levels of her basketball career. In 2017, she helped to lead South Carolina to its first National Championship in addition to four conference titles and four conference tournament championships as an assistant coach. As a player, she was a two-time Olympic gold medalist (1996, 2000) and 1998 World Cup gold medalist while competing for Team USA. She led her Columbus Quest team to the 1997 American Basketball League (ABL) Championship. In college, she helped Tennessee win three SEC regular-season championships and two SEC Tournament titles.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of two-time Olympic gold medalist Nikki McCray-Penson.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 7, 2023
Our sister & our friend, Nikki was more than a champion.
USA Basketball extends its condolences to the McCray & Penson families in this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/zsI0z0nnnD
— FIBA Women's AmeriCup (@americupw) July 9, 2023
Rest in peace Nikki McCray-Penson.
A moment of silence was held before the Canada vs. USA Semifinal game in honor of an incredible champion of women's basketball. She won her first gold medal in the 1993 Women's AmeriCup.
📸 via @usabasketball pic.twitter.com/2cQcliKiQu
McCray-Penson's prolific and decorated playing career earned her a place in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. The three-time WNBA All-Star spent nine years in the league. She scored 2,550 career points while averaging 14.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Prior to the WNBA, she played two seasons in the ABL, where she earned MVP honors during the 1997 championship season. In 2000, McCray was named to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, which advises the President and Secretary of Health and Human Services on improving American's participation in sports and physical activity.
We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of former Mystics player Nikki McCray-Penson.
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) July 7, 2023
A 2x Olympian, Nikki lit up every room she walked in.
We send our deepest condolences to her family. pic.twitter.com/bNp1LYx9Nt
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 7, 2023
We will remember you as a warrior and a friend. Rest easy, dear Nikki McCray-Penson.
You will be missed 💜 pic.twitter.com/zhHGT6T7rJ
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 7, 2023
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Fever alum, 3x WNBA All-Star, coach and friend, Nikki McCray-Penson.
our thoughts are with her family and friends. pic.twitter.com/gokEW9RFqY
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) July 7, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and loved ones of Nikki McCray-Penson pic.twitter.com/fLnES1eOoE
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) July 7, 2023
The Las Vegas Aces were saddened to learn today of the passing of Tennessee, ABL, WNBA and Olympic legend Nikki McCray-Penson. A member of the 2005 San Antonio Silver Stars, Nikki was beloved by many as a teammate, coach, mentor, sister, and friend. Her achievements on the… pic.twitter.com/4D59fqQO2u
During her collegiate career at Tennessee, McCray-Penson spearheaded legendary coach Pat Summitt's teams to four NCAA Tournament appearances. The two-time All-American garnered SEC Player of the Year honors as a junior and senior, one of just three Lady Vols to ever win the yearly award twice. She helped lead Tennessee to the Final Four in 1995 and earned NCAA All-Final Four Team honors. McCray-Penson was named Best Defensive Player for Tennessee each of her four years between 1992 and 1995 and helped the Lady Vols to a 122-11 record during her career.
Heartbroken to learn of Nikki McCray-Penson's passing.
— Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) July 7, 2023
Nikki was a force in women's basketball, both as a player and as a coach, and was a beloved member of the Lady Vol sisterhood.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. She will be sorely missed.
— Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) July 7, 2023
Remembering #LVFL Nikki McCray-Penson
• 1994 SEC Player of the Year
• 1995 SEC Player of the Year
• 1,572 Career Points as a Lady Vol
• 5x SEC Champion
• 2x All-American
• 3x WNBA All-Star
• 2x Olympic Gold Medalist
• 2012 @WBHOF inductee
A Lady Vol Legend 🧡 pic.twitter.com/sI8vJDNMxR
The 2020 C-USA Coach of the Year, McCray-Penson finished her third season at Old Dominion in 2019-20, when she led the Monarchs to a 24-6 record, a second-place finish in the conference standings and an RPI ranking of 33 to end the year. It was the second season in a row that ODU won at least 20 games, an accomplishment that hadn't been achieved since 2006-08. Her squad's success was recognized by coaches from around the country, as Old Dominion received votes in the top 25 rankings, something that hadn't happened since 2008. Her defense ranked first in the country in three-point field goals allowed and 15th in scoring defense. Overall, at ODU, McCray-Penson compiled a 53-40 record and coached four players to all-conference honors, two individuals to all-defensive team recognition and two selections for the all-freshman team.
ODU mourns the passing of former head coach Nikki McCray -Penson. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire McCray-Penson family.#ODUSports | #ReignOn | #Monarchshttps://t.co/Gs5SfHYabj
— ODU Women's Basketball (@ODU_WBB) July 7, 2023
McCray-Penson earned a head coaching job in the SEC at Mississippi State in 2020-21. She coached the Bulldogs to 10 wins before stepping down after one season to focus on her health.
It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of Nikki McCray-Penson.
— Sam Purcell (@SamPurcellMSU) July 7, 2023
She was an incredible basketball coach and a true leader of women, but more importantly, she was a loving Mother and Wife.
Nikki and her family will continue to be in our hearts & in our prayers. pic.twitter.com/UAsN7g3b90
Prior to becoming a head coach, McCray-Penson served on staff as an assistant coach for Dawn Staley at South Carolina, where she helped the Gamecocks claim their first-ever National Championship in 2017. South Carolina earned six-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances during her tenure, reaching five Sweet 16s, two Elite Eights and two Final Fours. During her last four seasons in Columbia, she helped lead the Gamecocks to four-straight SEC regular-season championships and three SEC Tournament titles.
Our program, our sport and most importantly her family lost an amazing woman – mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, coach, mentor – today.
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) July 7, 2023
Nikki McCray-Penson was part of our foundation and made us the program we are, one personal relationship at a time 💔 pic.twitter.com/jSRQY9Vnmx
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) July 7, 2023
It is with the heaviest of heart I have to post this…..thank you my little sister, my friend, my foxhole partner, my teammate, my fast food snacker, my basketball junkie, my fellow Olympian, my gold medalist and now my angel. God's got you now….suffer no more Nik Nik. ❤️deeply pic.twitter.com/3t5LG7nOre
Part of South Carolina's success on the hardwood was a result of McCray-Penson's ability to identify talent as the assistant recruiting coordinator. Regarded as one of the top recruiters in the country, she helped land the No. 2 class and the top player in the nation in 2014, A'ja Wilson.
Heart hurts like crazy over this one! 💔 such a fighter and a warrior with the sweetest gentle soul! Coach McCray you've helped me in many many ways and you were a true gift from God! Truly will be missed! No more suffering no more pain! God got a good one 🤍 #oranges pic.twitter.com/zRCu4zXXdv
— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) July 7, 2023
In her first coaching job, McCray-Penson played a big role in guiding Western Kentucky to back-to-back postseason appearances and a 2008 Sun Belt Tournament championship as an assistant coach. She was also the program's head recruiting coordinator and signed one of WKU's top all-time classes in 2007-08.
Both at Rutgers and around the country, McCray-Penson's memory, inspiration and legacy will live on through everyone who loved her and cherished her in their lives.
