Jackson State new women’s basketball coach Margaret Richards talks hoops
Jackson State athletics introduced Maragaret Richards as its new women’s basketball coach on Monday
Transfers Rakisha Ballinger, Ruthie Mbugua and Zoe Cooper have committed to play for Jackson State women’s basketball and new coach Margaret Richards for the 2024-25 season.
Ballinger is a 5-foot-8 guard who played three years at Wagner College. She led the Seahawks in steals with 2.5 per game. Her best offensive game of the season came against Saint Francis, scoring 15 points. She averaged 8.7 points per game as a junior.
Cooper, a 5-foot-11 forward, played four years at New Orleans. She had her best game of the season by scoring 16 points against Houston Christian. During her time at New Orleans, Cooper started in 98 games and averaged 27.9 minutes a game and 3.4 points.
Mbugua is a 6-foot-4 transfer from Carson-Newman. She will add height and a presence inside. During her career at Carson-Newman she averaged one blocked shot a game. In the 2023-24 season, she played in 18 games and averaged 5.6 minutes a game.
Richards, who was hired in May, is the seventh Jackson State women’s basketball coach. She replaced Tomekia Reed, who left to coach Charlotte.
Richards has received commitments from Arianna Durrell, Zaria Glover, Tierney Kelsey, Kristina Ekofo Yomane, Diaka Berete and Jaileyah Cotton.
GUARD ARIANNA DURRELL COMMITS TO JSU Guard Arianna Durrell commits to Jackson State women’s basketball team
Richard coached eight seasons (2016-24) at Alabama A&M, going 97-125 overall and 69-70 in the SWAC before going to JSU.