STARKVILLE — Teams don’t often get to add elite talents to their rosters.
In April 2015, Roshunda Johnson, a four-star recruit out of Little Rock, Arkansas, opted to transfer from Oklahoma State to Mississippi State.
Last season, Johnson played an integral role in MSU’s program-record 34-win season and its first trip to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament and the national title game.
In January 2017, MSU received additional good fortune when Jordan Danberry, a five-star recruit out of Conway, Arkansas, decided to transfer from Arkansas to MSU. Danberry was the No. 47 prospect in the espnW HoopGurlz Class of 2015.
At 2 p.m. today, Danberry will make her debut when No. 6 MSU (8-0) plays host to Little Rock (3-5) at Humphrey Coliseum.
“I have been anxious to play,” Danberry said Thursday during a media availability. “I have been playing on the black team with the practice guys. This week, I get to wear the jersey. It is kind of bittersweet, but I think I am ready for it.”
A season-ending knee injury to sophomore guard Jacaira Allen played a role in MSU coach Vic Schaefer’s choice to ask Danberry to play this season. Danberry, who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, would have had two years of eligibility remaining if she sat out this season. The decision to activate her means she will have the rest of this season and next season at MSU.
Danberry, who is 5-foot-8, averaged 4.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in six games in her sophomore season at Arkansas. As a freshman, she earned 13 starts in 30 games and averaged 6.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.9 steals in 19.2 minutes.
Schaefer said Danberry was an “integral” part of the success of the 2016-17 team by bringing energy every day in practice. He feels she is ready to bolster a lineup that has seen the Bulldogs feature four guards and junior center Teaira McCowan more since sophomore Ameshya Williams left school.
“She is a really good rebounder, too,” Schaefer said. “She is explosive with her quickness, to the rim, and I think she is an explosive rebounder. She’s probably the best athlete on the team.”
William said Danberry is a “great defensive player” and that she is glad Danberry will be on our team in practice because she doesn’t like being guarded by her. She feels Danberry’s quickness will add another dimension to the Bulldogs’ defense. She also has seen Danberry’s perimeter game improve, which should help her fit right in with guards like Johnson, Blair Schaefer, and Victoria Vivians.
“She does it all,” William said. “You’re going to know Jordan when she plays. You’ll remember her after watching the game.”
Danberry chose Arkansas over Oklahoma State coming out of high school. She was part of former Arkansas coach Jimmy Dykes’ initial recruiting class.
Danberry said watching MSU’s run to the national title game against South Carolina motivated her during the year she was relegated to practicing with the squad. She feels she will provide a lift defensively and on offense because she is able to get to the basket and create opportunities at the free-throw line.
“Her defense turns to offense (during practice) and she always got layups,” William said. “She was rippin’ us at the top of the key in the press and 94 feet from the basket. Now, she comes down in transition and she is shooting the mid-range jumper and shooting threes. She is doing it all. It is a great piece we’re adding. I am excited.”
Schaefer said he has been especially pleased to see Danberry get back to being the student-athlete he remembered recruiting out of Conway High. He said Danberry is “really smart” and has a grade-point average of 3.7 or 3.8 since she has been at MSU.
“I am proud of her for changing back to where she should have been after she left high school,” Schaefer said.
Danberry said she has learned to take care of her schoolwork first in her time in Starkville. She said the framework the Bulldogs have in place to go to mandatory study hall has enabled her to get her work done.
That being said, Danberry also is anxious to get back on the court and to make an impact.
NOTES: MSU senior Morgan William and Ketara Chapel walked Friday in MSU’s commencement ceremonies. Today, fans will get a chance to celebrate “Morgan William Day” with free posters available to the first 750 fans. Also, a cutout of William will be located outside Bully’s Kidz Kourt in Mize Pavilion, and fans shorter than “Itty Bitty” get free admission to the game. … MSU is one of three schools that has undefeated men’s and women’s basketball teams. Florida State and Villanova are the others.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.