Celebrating the Life of Nikki McCray-Penson
7/15/2023
Nikki used to come by my office every morning, smile, wave with a "Hey Co!" as she walked by! She was always trying to get me to juice. "Co, I'm going to bring you some tomorrow and you are going to love it!" "Nikki," I'd always say, "I am NOT drinking your green slime!" Then we would both start cracking up!
-Head Coach, Coquese Washington
Nikki McCray was one of my favorite people on staff. I think we became the closest because we spent a lot of time on the plan for defense.
My most vivid memory of Nikki is just how she carried herself. She carried herself like a champion every single day. She had a seriousness to her, but she also had a silly side and she was always sincere in everything she did. She was able to touch me in just a short year with her and add a ton of confidence to how I coach, how I recruit and how I present myself on the daily. I'm really fortunate to have spent time with her and will always love her. She will never be forgotten. She's a legend, and she will forever be a legend.
-Assistant Coach, John Hampton
The best way to describe her is “RELENTLESS” as a coach, competitor and recruiter!!
-Assistant Coach, Tasha Pointer
I can still remember the first time I spoke with Coach McCray-Penson during my recruitment process. She called and asked me not only questions about basketball, but also about life.
She was caring and such a genuine person.
We lost touch, until I saw her again when we both arrived at Rutgers. She brought out the best in me and never gave up on me. There were times on the bench she explained things to me with such calmness that it made me see where I could’ve made better decisions. She was one of the strongest people I’ve met and although she was going through her own personal struggles, she still put the team first by giving her best when coaching. You could always feel her presence and energy in the gym, and it showed how passionate she was about the game. She showed me what it means to truly love the game of basketball.
Coach McCray-Penson was someone who showed me what it takes to be mentally tough while playing the game of basketball and what it takes to take my game to the next level. I am grateful that I was fortunate enough to call her my coach. Her loving kindness and her words will forever live on in my heart.
-Kaylene Smikle
My favorite part about Coach Nikki would be the belief she had in me, how much she reminded me how great I was going to be and that I should believe in myself. She believed in me when I thought no coach would and I can’t thank her enough for that. She wanted to rebuild my confidence like never before.
-Destiny Adams
My favorite memory of Coach Nikki was on our way to New York one time, we talked about all of her accomplishments and everything that had happened on her journey. She told me what she saw for me in the future and probably told me 10 times during that one conversation how much she believed in me. It meant so much to me coming from her.
-Antonia Bates
I remember when she took me to this organic grocery store where she went to get her food and she got me a smoothie that was really good. This was the first time we went to get food together because she knew that I was interested in cooking. So, she took me to the store so I could find all the ingredients I needed to make the types of dishes I wanted to.
It was a fun experience and showed she supported my interests and had a desire to help me with my passion for cooking. I cherish this memory because it was such a meaningful moment for me.
-Awa Sidibe
I remember when the coaching staff was recruiting me, Coach Nikki wasn’t sure if I was celebrating the Fourth of July, so she facetimed me and we watched her family do fireworks at her place. It was so nice of her, and I remember her being so excited to show me.
-Kassondra Brown
One memory that will stick with me the longest is when we fell against Princeton, I was upset because it wasn't my best performance. She took me to the bathroom and said "You have proven what you are, you are capable of getting a double double every game, don’t let this get to you. Most importantly don’t let this define you, lead this team, and take this team to where we need to be.”
-Chyna Cornwell
She recruited me when she was the head coach at Mississippi State and that's when I met her. Every time we used to get on the phone, we would have long conversations, like an hour and a half. We would talk about my future and how she can help me get there. She always told me I'm a great player, a great person and one day I'm going to be a pro. She already told me I have pro skills and really want me to be a part of her journey. Coach Nikki boosted my confidence every time we got on the phone. She was always very truthful and genuine about what my future should look like as long as I keep working.
When I went in the transfer portal, Coach Nikki was one of the first coaches that reached out and it was the same as before. We called each other almost every single day and had the same conversations and that was really our bond.
-Mya Petticord
My favorite memory was when she made me sit on her lap the last time, I saw Coach Nikki and she just rubbed my back.
-Erica Lafayette
Every interaction I had with Coach McCray-Penson makes me look back and see how great she was at everything she did. Whether it was her motivating me on the court and pushing me to be better or when we were joking off the court. She pushed me harder than any other coach I’ve played for.
But she also was there to be a friend when I needed it. After a tough day and then a bad workout, I thought she was going to use it as a teaching moment on getting more reps in, but she told me it’s ok to be frustrated, and that basketball is not a perfect game but that I had to keep showing up. She showed me first-hand her strength when she fought every day to be at workouts even with what she was battling health wise.
In one of our last conversations, she told me how proud she was of me and how much she believed in me, and those words have been replaying in my head ever since I got the news. Coach Nikki was a great basketball player, but she wanted to spread her knowledge and greatness with all she accomplished, she still wanted to teach the next generation. I was extremely lucky to have had the few months I had with her, and she was and will continue to be one of the biggest influences on my life, on and off the court.
-Jill Huerter
A memory I have with Nikki that I’ll never forget is when we were on the phone before I made my final decision to come to Rutgers, she had me do a prank on the coaching staff. She told me to tell the staff that I’m not coming because it wasn’t the best fit and then surprise them with the great news. She wanted to be the first person to know if I did decide to come here and the prank was successful because I got the rest of the coaches, and I ended up at Rutgers!
-Lisa Thompson
