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
Arianna Durrell has committed to play for Jackson State women’s basketball and new coach Margaret Richards for the 2024 season.
Durrell played at Clinton High School in Mississippi and most recently at Itawamba Community College.
Durrell announced her decision Thursday on her social media page on X, formerly known as Twitter with #committed and #THEEilove.
The 5-foot-5 point guard averaged 9.8 points per game, shot 33.3% from the 3-point line and 84.7% on free throw for Itawamba.
Durrell, who will be a junior at JSU, played a year at Meridian Community College before going to Itawamba. She was selected second-team All-Mississippi Association of Community Colleges in the 2023.
Richards also has commitments from Zaria Glover, Tierney Kelsey, Kristina Ekofo Yomane, Diaka Berete and Jaileyah Cotton.
Richards, who was hired in May, is the seventh Jackson State women’s basketball coach. She replaced Tomekia Reed, who left to coach Charlotte.
Richard coached eight seasons (2016-24) at Alabama A&M, going 97-125 overall and 69-70 in the SWAC before going to JSU.
“My focus is on getting the right kids in here that can compete at this level and knowing the importance of winning here at this program,” Richards told the Clarion Ledger at her news conference May 21.
JSU has won five consecutive regular-season SWAC titles and been to the NCAA tournament three times in six seasons.
MARGARET RICHARDS LOOKS TO CONTINUE WINS How Jackson State women’s basketball coach Margaret Richards can continue Tomekia Reed’s success