Could a Bulldog legacy find his way to Starkville a few years from now? Chris Jans and Mississippi State basketball certainly hope so. Over the weekend they extended an offer to elite 2028 recruit Erick Dampier Jr., son of former MSU basketball and NBA star Erick Dampier.
Blessed to receive a D1 offer from Mississippi State University. 🙏🏽 Thanks for believing in me Coach Jans. 💯 #offer #freshman #HailState pic.twitter.com/EiEkQuNCpD
— Erick Dampier Jr (@edampjr25) June 15, 2025
Just a 15 year old 9th grader, Erick Dampier Jr. is already cementing himself as one of the very best prospects in the 2028 class. The Madison-Ridgeland Academy standout stands 6-10 with a 91" wingspan. ESPN currently ranks Dampier Jr. as the No. 3 recruit in his class as a 94-overall 5-star. Along with the Bulldogs, he also owns offers from Purdue, San Diego, and Jackson State.
Dampier Jr.'s talent was highlighted on a big stage earlier this month. He played for the 2025 USA Men's U16 National Team in the FIBA AmeriCup. Dampier Jr. started all six games for USA, averaging 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks to help his squad capture gold. He's quite the chip off the old block.
The senior Dampier is one of the greatest players in Mississippi State basketball history. The Jackson, MS native played three seasons in Starkville under coach Richard Williams, twice earning 1st Team All-SEC honors. In 1996, the 6-11 center helped lead the Bulldogs to their first and only trip to the Final Four.
That college success would translate into a lengthy professional career. A 1st round draft pick in 1996, Erick Dampier played in the NBA for 16 years, highlighted by long stints as a starter for the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks.
Now 29 years after leading the Bulldogs on a special March Madness run, his son has been granted the chance to follow in his footsteps.
Mississippi State basketball has had quite a bit of success with legacy players in recent years. Reggie Perry, Robert Woodard, and Tyson Carter were all second generation Bulldog basketball players that had outstanding careers in Starkville playing for quality teams under Ben Howland.
Is Erick Dampier Jr. the next in line? It's far too early to say. We're still three years away from the start of his college career. And while Mississippi State will undoubtedly be among the favorites to land him, make no mistake, he's the type of talent that will have every big time program in the country recruiting him. State's inevitably going to have to beat out college basketball blue bloods to bring Dampier Jr. to Starkville, but there's no question that Chris Jans and the Bulldogs will do everything possible to make that happen.