University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagle Basketball Adds Transfer Signing to 2023 Class
5/8/2023 5:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss women's basketball head coach Joye Lee-McNelis announces the signing of Mahoganie Williams, a transfer from Norfolk State, as the latest addition to the 2023-24 Lady Eagles' squad.
"We are happy to announce the signing of Mahoganie Williams," said Lady Eagles' head coach Joye Lee-McNelis. "Mahoganie attended Ouachita High School in Monroe, La. where she was selected All-Region and All-State three years. She then attended Trinity Valley Community College where she competed for the National Championship and was a JUCO All-American. In her two years at Norfolk State, she helped lead them to the MEAC Championship and the NCAA Tournament.
Mahoganie brings much experience to the power forward position. She brings athleticism, rebounding ability and defense that will impact us immediately. Her championship experience at the junior college and Division I level will provide us with a proven winner. We have recruited Mahoganie since she was in high school and have watched her growth as a person and athlete. She has made great strides in understanding that every day counts. I'm really proud of her and thankful to have her join our Lady Eagle family."
Williams, four-time collegiate basketball letterwinner, arrives in Hattiesburg after two seasons with the Norfolk State Spartans. In 2022-23, the Spartans swept the regular season and tournament championships in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.
Over two campaigns, Williams played in 60 games for NSU, making 36 starts. Averaging 20.1 minutes per game, she connected on 164 of her 426 field goals for a Spartan percentage of 38.5 from the floor. She also collected 278 rebounds, an average of 4.6 per game over her two years, as well as 103 blocks.
Norfolk State won the MEAC Regular Season Title in both seasons Williams played in Norfolk, and Williams collected MEAC All-Defensive Team honors for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. She also collected All-MEAC Second Team honors in 2020-21 and earned four selections to the MEAC All-Defensive Team.
Prior to Norfolk State, Williams spent a year at Trinity Valley Community College (Athens, Texas). While with the Cardinals, Williams quickly made a name for herself in the NJCAA ranks, earning Honorable Mentions on the 2020-21 NJCAA All-American team. Williams suited up in 21 games for the NJCAA National Championship Runner-Ups, starting in 13. She averaged 2.6 points on a 45.2 percent field goal percentage. She also averaged 7.7 boards per contest and collected 22 blocks and 27 steals over the course of the season. She finished with 20 or more points four times and crossed the double-figure rebounding total eight times.
Williams' collegiate career began in Ruston, La. with the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters. She appeared in seven games off the bench for Tech and tallied 12 points and seven rebounds on the year.
A standout for Ouachita Parish High School (Monroe, La.), Williams earned letters for the Lions' basketball and track and field teams. Williams earned All-District honors in her freshman, sophomore and senior campaigns and earned All-LHSAA honors as a freshman and sophomore.
"We are happy to announce the signing of Mahoganie Williams," said Lady Eagles' head coach Joye Lee-McNelis. "Mahoganie attended Ouachita High School in Monroe, La. where she was selected All-Region and All-State three years. She then attended Trinity Valley Community College where she competed for the National Championship and was a JUCO All-American. In her two years at Norfolk State, she helped lead them to the MEAC Championship and the NCAA Tournament.
Mahoganie brings much experience to the power forward position. She brings athleticism, rebounding ability and defense that will impact us immediately. Her championship experience at the junior college and Division I level will provide us with a proven winner. We have recruited Mahoganie since she was in high school and have watched her growth as a person and athlete. She has made great strides in understanding that every day counts. I'm really proud of her and thankful to have her join our Lady Eagle family."
Williams, four-time collegiate basketball letterwinner, arrives in Hattiesburg after two seasons with the Norfolk State Spartans. In 2022-23, the Spartans swept the regular season and tournament championships in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.
Over two campaigns, Williams played in 60 games for NSU, making 36 starts. Averaging 20.1 minutes per game, she connected on 164 of her 426 field goals for a Spartan percentage of 38.5 from the floor. She also collected 278 rebounds, an average of 4.6 per game over her two years, as well as 103 blocks.
Norfolk State won the MEAC Regular Season Title in both seasons Williams played in Norfolk, and Williams collected MEAC All-Defensive Team honors for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. She also collected All-MEAC Second Team honors in 2020-21 and earned four selections to the MEAC All-Defensive Team.
Prior to Norfolk State, Williams spent a year at Trinity Valley Community College (Athens, Texas). While with the Cardinals, Williams quickly made a name for herself in the NJCAA ranks, earning Honorable Mentions on the 2020-21 NJCAA All-American team. Williams suited up in 21 games for the NJCAA National Championship Runner-Ups, starting in 13. She averaged 2.6 points on a 45.2 percent field goal percentage. She also averaged 7.7 boards per contest and collected 22 blocks and 27 steals over the course of the season. She finished with 20 or more points four times and crossed the double-figure rebounding total eight times.
Williams' collegiate career began in Ruston, La. with the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters. She appeared in seven games off the bench for Tech and tallied 12 points and seven rebounds on the year.
A standout for Ouachita Parish High School (Monroe, La.), Williams earned letters for the Lions' basketball and track and field teams. Williams earned All-District honors in her freshman, sophomore and senior campaigns and earned All-LHSAA honors as a freshman and sophomore.
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