Sam Purcell elated about opportunity to coach Jessika Carter in 2023-2024

When the end of the 2022-2023 Mississippi State women’s basketball season came, it wasn’t clear if Jessika Carter would return. Thankfully, she did.

During SEC Media Days, it’s clear that Sam Purcell was thrilled he got to chat about how much fun he had last season and how excited he is about what the Bulldogs will look like this upcoming season.

And when it came to talking about Jessika Carter (a remarkable and talented player he had more than plenty of opportunities to discuss), Sam Purcell could barely contain his excitement. And that was definitely clear when the Bulldogs’ head coach got to chat about Carter’s decision to return to play for Mississippi State once again.

As it was pointed out in a question at SEC Media Days, once the 2022-2023 Mississippi State basketball season came to a close, it wasn’t clear if the Miss. State women’s basketball program would be able to bring Carter back for another season.

“It’s not about me, it’s about you. I ask them, what do you need in your life? What can I provide for you in your life? Are we the best fit? Just the general questions that are in today’s climate,” Purcell explained, according to ASAP Sports’ transcript of SEC Media Days.

Mississippi State women’s basketball head coach Sam Purcell seems thrilled he gets to coach Jessika Carter for another season

Carter was a key cog in the Bulldogs’ roster and she almost certainly had opportunities elsewhere. But after leading the Mississippi State women’s basketball team in scoring, rebounding, blocks, and field goal percentage last year, Sam Purcell was able to get Carter back for another season.

And that’s very clearly an exciting thing for MSU’s head coach.

“Thank goodness, all right, she said yes ’cause, I’m not going to lie, I was out in the streets in Starkville tootsie rolling, screaming, Let’s go, and it was time for the next hashtag because Jessika Carter is coming back,” he said.

Purcell is clearly an emotional guy and it’s a ton of fun seeing him guide the Bulldogs. With Carter back on the roster for another season in Starkville, it’ll be fascinating to see just how far Mississippi State can go this season.

For Purcell, Carter’s return mean’s he’s got a great leader and a talented force helping his team move forward. With his star back in the fold, maybe MSU can really challenge the likes of South Carolina and LSU this season.