Nikki McCray Biography
Nikki McCray, officially known as Nikki Kesangane McCray-Penson was an American basketball player and coach.
She developed a passion for playing basketball at a younger age, was consistent throughout her career, and rose through the ranks to become one of the most sought-after basketball players.
McCray played professional basketball from 1996 to 2006. She played in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) for eight seasons.
During her career, she had a stint with the Washington Mystics, the Indiana Fever, the Phoenix Mercury, the San Antonio Silver Stars, and the Chicago Sky.
With the Women’s National Basketball Association, she was named to three WNBA All-Star teams (1999, 2000, and 2001) and scored 2,550 career points.
McCray also played at the international level. She won gold medals with the U.S. women’s basketball team at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.
McCray made a name for herself in women’s basketball as a world-class defender by shutting down a number of the world’s best players.
After leaving the WNBA, she joined the coaching staff as an assistant coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
As a coach, McCray had stints with a number of teams and was the head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs women’s basketball team from 2020 to 2021.
Sadly, the Olympic gold medalist and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer has died at 51. Nikki McCray passed away on Friday, July 7, 2023. At the time of this writing, the cause of her death has not officially been made public.
A decade ago (in 2013), McCray was diagnosed with breast cancer. Before her demise in July 2023, she was serving as an assistant coach for Rutgers.
Following her demise, colleagues have taken to social media to share their condolence to the bereaved family. Former South Carolina star A’ja Wilson tweeted.
“Heart hurts like crazy over this one! 💔 such a fighter and a warrior with the sweetest gentle soul! Coach McCray you’ve helped me in many many ways and you were a true gift from God! Truly will be missed! No more suffering no more pain! God got a good one 🤍 #oranges”
Nikki McCray age
She was born on December 17, 1971, in Collierville, Tennessee, United States. She celebrated her 51st birthday in December last year (2022) before she died in July this year (2023)
Nikki McCray Height & Weight
She stands at a height of 1.80 m and weighs around 72 kg
Nikki McCray Education
Not much is known about the educational background of the late American basketball player and coach. However, per our checks, she attended Collierville High School and the University of Tennessee
Nikki McCray Parents
Her was born in Collierville, Tennessee, United States to her parents. Though she’s famous, there’s no information regarding her parents as their name, date of birth, age, educational background, and occupation were unknown at the time of this writing.
Nikki McCray Husband
She is survived by his husband, Thomas Penson.
Penson proposed to McCray during one of her league basketball games. The love birds tied the knot on Wednesday, March 30, 2002. They had been married for 21 years.
Her husband, Thomas Penson lives his life away from the limelight hence his date of birth, age, educational background, and occupation is unknown at the time of this writing.
Nikki McCray Children
She is survived by her son, Thomas Nikson Penson, who turned 10 in February this year (2023). The late American basketball player and coach shares her child with her husband, Thomas Penson.
Nikki McCray Siblings
She never shared any information regarding her siblings hence we can’t state whether or not she’s the only child of his parents. There are no records about that.
Nikki McCray Net Worth
Before her demise, she had an estimated net worth of about $8 million. She made such an amount from her career as a professional basketball player and coach. In 2012, she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Nikki McCray Teammates
She played in the Women’s National Basketball Association for eight seasons. She was a professional basketball player from 1996 to 2006. Her teammates include; Dawn Staley, Chamique Holdsclaw, Ruthie Bolton, Teresa Edwards, Jennifer Azzi, Rebecca Lobo, Sheryl Swoopes, Yolanda Griffith, Lisa Leslie, Carla McGhee, Venus Lacy, Katie Smith, and Kara Walters, among others.
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