Mississippi State’s Roster Rebuild Added Another In-State Piece

Ashton Magee is joining Mississippi State after playing 31 games as a true freshman at Southern University last season.

Southern University Jaguars forward Ashton Magee (24) blocks the way of Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) during the second half at State Farm Center. | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

We interrupt your downpour of college baseball news for a reminder that some basketball programs are still building out their roster for next season.

Mississippi State landed a commitment from Ashton Magee on Saturday.

Magee becomes the latest piece in what has turned into a near-total roster rebuild for Mississippi State, and his addition fits the broader theme of what the staff has been chasing this spring.

He’s a 6-7 forward coming off his freshman year at Southern University, where he played steady rotation minutes and showed enough long-term upside to draw interest once he hit the portal. He’ll arrive in Starkville with three seasons of eligibility and the option to redshirt if the staff wants to stretch his development.

The Laurel native and South Jones product didn’t put up big numbers in Baton Rouge, but he played in 31 games and logged 350 minutes as a true freshman.

Magee shot 44.4 percent from the field, averaged 3.0 points and 1.7 rebounds, and got a taste of what a full college season feels like. Southern finished 17-17 and 11-7 in SWAC play, and Magee’s role grew as the year went on.

His path to Mississippi State has already taken a few turns. Magee originally committed to Kansas State out of high school before reopening his recruitment and signing with Southern.

Now he’s back in his home state with a chance to carve out a role on a roster that has plenty of room for new contributors.

And that’s the real context here. Mississippi State returns only one full-time starter in rising senior Josh Hubbard, who will carry the scoring load again.

King Grace is back after playing meaningful minutes as a freshman, and redshirts Cameren Paul and Tee Bartlett will finally get their first real look after sitting last season. Everything else is open. Everything else is up for competition.

Mississippi State Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker

Women

Incoming

• Reese Beaty, 5-8, G, Fr. (Iowa State)
• Aryss Macktoon, G, 5-11, So. (La Salle)
• Arianny Francisco De Oliviera, F, 6-4, So. (Gulf Coast State College)
• Macie Phifer, 6-1, G, Fr. (Middle Tennessee)
• Cali Smallwood, 5-9, G, Jr. (UAB)

Outgoing

• Awa Fane, 5-8, G, Jr.
• Nataliyah Gray, 6-3, F, Fr.
• Rocío Jiménez, 6-7, C, R-So.
• Saniyah King, 5-7, G, So.
• Jaylah Lampley, 6-2, Fr.

Men

Incoming

• Thomas Bassong, 6-8, F, Fr. (Florida State)
• RJ Johnson, 6-4, G, Jr. (Kennesaw State)
• Ashton Magee, 6-7, F, Fr. (Southern)
• ND Okafor, 6-7, F, Sr. (Washington State)
• Kendyl Sanders, 6-8, F, Fr. (Utah)
• Tajuan Simpkins, 6-4, G, (Seton Hall)

Outgoing

• Gai Chol, 7-0, C, Jr.
• Jamarion Davis-Fleming, 6-10, F, Fr.
• Dellquan Warren, 6-2, G, So.
• Amier Ali, 6-8, G/F, So.
• Sergej Macura, 6-9, F, So.
• Brandon Walker, 6-8, F, Sr.