Freshman Shavers decides to transfer from MSU program

A day before the first game of the season, a Mississippi State freshman is moving on before she even plays a minute of her career.

Freshman Jasmine Shavers announced on Monday night that she has entered her name in the transfer portal after just arriving in Starkville back in June. The first year player out of Texas committed to former Bulldog coach Nikki Mccraypenson last year and is leaving less than a month after Mccray-penson announced she was stepping down as the head coach.

Shavers played her high school basketball at Horn in Mesquite, Texas, where she was a four-star prospect according to ESPNW. In four seasons at the school, Shavers was All-district every season and was the Offensive Player of the Year her junior season and Most Valuable Player her senior year. After averaging 18.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.3 assists per game in 2018-19, Shavers came out last year and put up 26 points, 5.4 rebounds, four steals and 2.2 assists.

Shortly after Mccray-penson

took the job in Starkville last April, the Bulldogs got in the game for Shavers. Mccray-penson built a strong relationship with the talented Texan and State almost immediately became a member of her top schools. In June of last year, she made her commitment to State over Texas Tech, Tennessee, Rutgers, North Carolina, Kentucky and Arizona.

Shavers is the seventh player in the last two seasons to transfer from MSU as six left from last year’s roster. Jamya Mingo-young, Aliyah Matharu, Sidney Cooks, Xaria Wiggins, Yemiyah Morris and Madison Hayes all decided to find a new landing spot after the Bulldogs failed to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven years.

Mccray-penson also saw turnover in the coaching staff. Her three assistant coaches all moved on and two others that were hired never coached a game this season as they left after being hired for other positions. Recently hired associate head coach Doug Novak has taken over as the interim coach this season.

The Bulldogs open the season tonight against Alabama State at 6 p.m.