MISSISSIPPI STATE

Mississippi State women's basketball adds two players to 2020 recruiting class

Tyler Horka
Mississippi Clarion Ledger
  • Graduate transfer is expected to add shooting to the roster.
  • At 6-foot-5, post player brings skill as a freshman, Nikki McCray-Penson says.

Nikki McCray-Penson's first Mississippi State roster expanded Thursday.

McCray-Penson and the Bulldogs brought in a pair of players who will be immediately eligible for the 2020-21 season. Catterion Thompson is a graduate transfer from Bowling Green while Charlotte Kohl is a freshman who prepped at Theo Koch Schule in Grünberg, Germany.

"Both Caterrion and Charlotte are pieces l believe that fit into the championship puzzle that we are building at MSU," McCray-Penson said.

The duo joins five-star freshman Madison Hayes as Mississippi State's newcomers. Hayes, a McDonald's All-American and the 2020 Gatorade Tennessee Player of the Year, announced her decision to stay committed to McCray-Penson and company last week. 

Nikki McCray-Penson

Thompson, a 5-foot-10 guard, averaged 13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game at Bowling Green last year. She made 66 threes and shot 37% from behind the 3-point line. She scored in double-digits 23 times, including eight performances of 20-plus points. 

"We are thrilled to have Caterrion join our Bulldog family," McCray-Penson said. "She has high character and a great work ethic. She fills an immediate need with her experience and ability to consistently knock down open shots." 

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Kohl, a 6-foot-5 center, was a member of Germany's U16 and U18 national teams. She adds depth in the post. She is expected to complement juniors Jessika Carter and Sidney Cooks and senior Yemiyah Morris as Bulldog bigs. 

"I am excited about the development potential of Charlotte," McCray-Penson said. "She also has a high character. Her size, length and skill put her in a position to have a bright future."

Contact Tyler Horka at thorka@gannett.com. Follow @tbhorka on Twitter. To read more of Tyler's work, subscribe to the Clarion Ledger today!