After playing at the University of Tennessess, on the 2000 USA Olympic team, and being named to 3 WNBA All-Star teams, Nikki McCray-Penson began her coaching career in 2006.  Lucky for us Gamecock fans, sho joined Coach Dawn Staley's staff as an assistant coach in 2008.  In 2013, at age 41, Nikki was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I had the privilege of meeting Nikki during her journey and we became fast friends as we both battled this dreaded disease.  No matter what doctors said or the side effects of treatment, she held fast to her faith in God, and poured her love and energy into her son, her husband, and her players.  On July 7, 2023, she passed at the age of 51.  To honor her memory and legacy, the Lady Gamecocks will host Rutgers, where Nikki was an assistant coach at the time of her death, on October 22, 2023.  The game is free, but YOU can honor her memory by donating to In The Middle in her honor, or donating to the Thomas Penson Jr. Scholarship Fund by clicking  HERE.