Transfer Guard Commits to Mississippi State Women's Basketball
The Bulldogs land their first commit of the portal cycle.
Eniya Russell commits to Mississippi State. Russell has spent the last two seasons at Kentucky and had a breakthrough season in 2024.
The Maryland native averaged ten points a game and 3.6 rebounds while only playing 20 minutes a game. The 6-0 senior signed with South Carolina out of high school, and spent the first three years of her career in Columbia.
Russell saw action in 49 games for the Gamecocks but was only a role player. She is a streaky scorer, putting up at least ten points 16 times, at least 15 eight times, and at least 20 points four times.
She has excellent size for the guard position, which was a struggle for MSU last year. Lauren Park-Lane started at guard last year and was productive, but SEC teams took advantage of the 5-4 senior by taking her to the rim.
Jerkaila Jordan has already announced she is returning to Starkville for her final year. Jordan averaged 16 points a game a season ago and will likely be the number-one scoring option.
Russell will benefit from playing alongside Jordan, leading to more open looks for her. Mississippi State head coach Sam Purcell showed his ability to flip a roster last year via the transfer portal.
Hailey Van Lith is another portal prospect for which the Bulldogs are firmly in the mix. If Purcell can land the LSU transfer guard, that will likely send Russell to the bench, and with her scoring ability, she will likely take the role Darrione Rogers filled this year.
