Categories: Obituaries

Basketball star and Olympic gold medalist Nikki McCray-Penson passes away

Nikki McCray-Penson, a renowned basketball player and coach, has passed away at the age of 51. She was a two-time Olympic gold medalist and received the MVP award in the American Basketball League (ABL). McCray-Penson battled breast cancer since her diagnosis in 2013. She made significant contributions to the sport, including her tenure as an assistant coach alongside Dawn Staley at South Carolina from 2008 to 2017, where she played a role in the team’s first national championship win in 2017. McCray-Penson achieved success on the international stage, winning gold medals with the U.S. women’s basketball team at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. The success of the 1996 team led to the formation of both the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and ABL.

Daily Current Affairs 2023

Career of Nikki McCray-Penson

McCray played for the ABL and earned the MVP title in 1997 before transitioning to the WNBA. During her time with the Washington Mystics, McCray-Penson became a three-time All-Star. After an eight-season career in the WNBA, she retired in 2006. McCray-Penson continued her involvement in basketball as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky for three seasons. She later became the head coach at Old Dominion, achieving a 24-6 record in 2020. Due to health concerns, she stepped down after one year at Mississippi State but returned to coaching at Rutgers for the previous season. McCray-Penson’s collegiate career took place at the University of Tennessee from 1991 to 1995 under the guidance of the esteemed coach Pat Summitt. As a guard, she was a two-time SEC Player of the Year and received the Kodak All-America recognition during her junior and senior seasons. In 2012, she was honored with induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Find More Obituaries News

Sumit Arora

As a team lead and current affairs writer at Adda247, my role involves researching and creating informative and engaging content aimed at helping candidates prepare for national and state-level competitive government exams. I specialize in delivering insightful articles that keep aspirants updated on the latest current affairs trends and developments. My primary focus is on educational excellence, ensuring that our readers are well-prepared and informed to face their exams with confidence. Through meticulously crafted content, I aim to guide and support candidates in their journey toward success.

Recent Posts

List of RBI Governors of India 1935 to 2024

The RBI Governor is the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Bank of India and the…

35 mins ago

Chaudhary Charan Singh Biography- Age, Political Career, Contributions and Awards

Chaudhary Charan Singh (23 December 1902 – 29 May 1987) was a prominent Indian politician…

39 mins ago

What is the Old Name of Rajasthan?

Rajasthan is a state in north-western India, known for its rich history, beautiful palaces, forts…

48 mins ago

PV Sindhu Biography- Age, Marriage, Career, Records and Net Worth

PV Sindhu is one of India's most celebrated badminton players, known for her exceptional skills,…

2 hours ago

Top-10 Most Expensive Woods in the World, Check the List

Wood is a natural material used in furniture, tools and decoration. It comes from trees…

2 hours ago

India’s First Bio-Bitumen Stretch Inaugurated by Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated India's first bio-bitumen-based National Highway…

2 hours ago