Nikki McCray was a basketball icon who made history as a player and a coach. She was a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a three-time WNBA All-Star, and a Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer. She was also a successful coach who led Old Dominion to a conference title and Mississippi State to an NCAA tournament appearance. She was a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration to many people in the basketball world and beyond. Sadly, she passed away on July 7, 2023, at the age of 51, after a long battle with breast cancer.
She left behind a legacy of excellence, courage, and love. But who was Nikki McCray as a person? What was her life story? How did she overcome the challenges she faced? How did she balance her career and her family? How did she cope with her illness? And what was her net worth at the time of her death? In this post, we will tell you everything you need to know about Nikki McCray, her age, wiki, cause of death, family, husband, career, net worth, and more. We will also share some of the latest news and tributes from her fans, colleagues, and loved ones. Read on to find out more about Nikki McCray, the basketball legend.
Nikki McCray-Penson Biography Profile
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Nikki Kesangane McCray-Penson |
| Date of birth | December 17, 1971 |
| Date of death | July 7, 2023 |
| Age | 51 |
| Birthplace | Collierville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Education | University of Tennessee (Basketball) |
| Father’s name | Lewis McCray |
| Mother’s name | Lucille McCray |
| Zodiac sign | Sagittarius |
| Spouse | Thomas Penson (m. 2002-2023) |
| Children | One son (Thomas Nikson Penson) |
| Net worth | Unknown |
| Siblings | One brother (Lewis McCray Jr.) and one sister (Kimberly McCray) |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Profession | Basketball player and coach |
| Ex profession | None |
Nikki McCray was a basketball legend who won two Olympic gold medals, three WNBA All-Star selections, and a national championship as a coach. She was born in Collierville, Tennessee, where she started playing basketball at an early age. She attended the University of Tennessee, where she played for the Lady Vols under coach Pat Summitt.
She graduated in 1995 with a degree in sociology. She played professionally in the American Basketball League and the Women’s National Basketball Association for eight seasons. She also represented the United States in international competitions, winning two Olympic gold medals and one FIBA World Championship gold medal. She retired from playing in 2006 and became a coach.
She was an assistant coach at Western Kentucky, South Carolina, and Rutgers, and a head coach at Old Dominion and Mississippi State. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and fought the disease for 10 years. She passed away on July 7, 2023, at the age of 51. She was married to Thomas Penson, an electrical engineer, and they had a son, Thomas Nikson Penson. She was known for her big smile, her big heart, and her passion for basketball and coaching. She touched the lives of many people with her talent, courage, and generosity.
Nikki McCray Awards and Honors:
| Award/Honor | Year | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame | 2012 | Inductee |
| C-USA Coach of the Year | 2020 | Head coach of Old Dominion |
| WNBA All-Star | 1999, 2000, 2001 | Player for Washington Mystics |
| ABL MVP | 1997 | Player for Columbus Quest |
| SEC Player of the Year | 1994, 1995 | Player for Tennessee Lady Vols |
| Kodak All-American | 1994, 1995 | Player for Tennessee Lady Vols |
| Olympic gold medalist | 1996, 2000 | Player for USA women’s basketball team |
| FIBA World Championship gold medalist | 1998 | Player for USA women’s basketball team |
Nikki McCray was a basketball legend who won two Olympic gold medals, three WNBA All-Star selections, and a national championship as a coach. She played for the Tennessee Lady Vols under coach Pat Summitt and graduated in 1995 with a degree in sociology. She played professionally in the American Basketball League and the Women’s National Basketball Association for eight seasons.
She also represented the United States in international competitions, winning two Olympic gold medals and one FIBA World Championship gold medal. She retired from playing in 2006 and became a coach. She was an assistant coach at Western Kentucky, South Carolina, and Rutgers, and a head coach at Old Dominion and Mississippi State.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and fought the disease for 10 years. She passed away on July 7, 2023, at the age of 51. She was married to Thomas Penson, an electrical engineer, and they had a son, Thomas Nikson Penson. She was known for her big smile, her big heart, and her passion for basketball and coaching. She touched the lives of many people with her talent, courage, and generosity.
Nikki McCray Physical Stats and More:
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 158 lb (72 kg) |
| Body type | Athletic |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Hair color | Black |
| Hair length | Short |
| Shoe size | Unknown |
Nikki McCray Favorite Things
| Category | Favorites |
|---|---|
| Color | Unknown |
| Actor | Unknown |
| Actress | Unknown |
| Movies | Unknown |
| Singers | Unknown |
| Food | Unknown |
| Designers | Unknown |
| Books | Unknown |
| Dance Form | Unknown |
| Wear | Fila sneakers |
| Animal | Unknown |
| Car | Unknown |
| Things to Do | Playing and coaching basketball, spending time with her family and friends, raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research |
| Sports | Basketball |
| Sports Person | Pat Summitt |
| Destination | Unknown |
Nikki McCray Social Media Handles
| Social Media | Handle |
|---|---|
| Youtube | Unknown |
| @nikkimccray15 | |
| @NikkiMccray15 | |
| Facebook Page | Nikki McCray-Penson |
| Unknown |
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