A Homecoming for a Rising Star
Tootie Lockett, the former Starkville High School basketball standout, has officially joined the Mississippi State University Bulldogs after completing two seasons at Itawamba Community College.
During her sophomore year at Itawamba, Lockett averaged nearly 15 points and five rebounds per game, earning MACCC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year honors and a NJCAA All‑American honorable mention.
Her recruitment gained momentum when MSU’s Director of women’s basketball recruiting operations, Jimmy Wu, reached out following her second visit to Alabama A&M, a connection that sealed her decision to return home.
Head coach Sam Purcell has praised Lockett not only for her on‑court skills but also for her infectious personality, describing her as one of the top‑five funniest people he knows and a natural source of joy for the team.
Lockett is now adapting to the faster pace and physicality of SEC basketball, a challenge she embraces as she works alongside five other transfers to build chemistry both on and off the court.
Excited to wear the maroon and white for the first time, she hopes to contribute to the Bulldogs’ success and bring a hometown narrative to the forefront of the program.