Two-time Olympic champion and three-time Women’s NBA All-Star guard Nikki McCray-Penson has passed away at the age of 51, according to an announcement by Rutgers University’s women’s basketball team on Friday.
McCray-Penson, who was currently serving as an assistant coach at Rutgers, was a member of the US Olympic women’s basketball gold medal teams in 1996 and 2000.
Rutgers head coach Coquese Washington expressed her deep sadness, describing McCray-Penson as someone with a big smile and an even bigger heart. She was known for her vibrant personality, energy, and ability to uplift others.
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, Washington said.
McCray-Penson had previously served as a head coach at Old Dominion and Mississippi State before joining the Rutgers staff. She also worked as an assistant at South Carolina, where she helped the team win the NCAA national championship in 2017.
Dawn Staley, McCray-Penson’s Olympic teammate and South Carolina’s head coach, spoke highly of her, saying, Her presence was something you could feel before you saw her because she had such light, such positive energy inside her no matter what was going on.
South Carolina’s women’s team tweeted their condolences, describing McCray-Penson as an amazing woman who had a significant impact on the program.
McCray-Penson’s career extended beyond the Olympics and college basketball. She played in the WNBA from 1998 to 2006, representing teams such as Washington, Indiana, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Chicago.
The WNBA expressed their condolences on social media, stating, Our hearts are heavy as we learn of the passing of Nikki McCray-Penson.
Many players and coaches have shown their support and shared memories of McCray-Penson, highlighting her positive influence and the impact she had on their lives.
A’ja Wilson, a two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player, expressed her grief on Twitter and praised McCray-Penson for her fighting spirit and gentle soul.
McCray-Penson will be remembered as an inspirational figure in women’s basketball, leaving behind a legacy of positivity, mentorship, and achievements both on and off the court.
As the basketball community mourns her loss, her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
