Mississippi State Adds Starkville Native Tootie Lockett to Women’s Basketball Roster

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State women’s basketball announced the addition of Tookie Lockett, a Starkville native and former Itawamba Community College standout, to its roster for the 2026-27 season. Lockett is the Bulldogs’ sixth transfer signing for the upcoming season, according to the school’s athletics department.

Lockett, a 5-foot-9 guard, started all 30 games during her sophomore season at Itawamba, averaging 14.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, the university said. She scored double digits in 25 games last season, including six 20-plus-point performances. Her season high was 29 points against Holmes Community College, where she shot 12-for-16 from the field and 3-for-5 from three-point range. She also recorded three double-doubles during the season.

The school noted that Lockett received multiple honors in Mississippi and nationally. She was named First Team All-MACCC and NJCAA All-Region 23 after her freshman year, helping her team reach its first NJCAA National Tournament. Following her sophomore season, she was named MACCC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year, earned First Team All-MACCC, NJCAA All-Region 23, and NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention honors.

In addition to Lockett, the Bulldogs have added Reese Beaty, Arianny Francisco de Oliveira, Aryss Macktoon, Cali Smallwood, and Macie Phifer through the transfer portal. The team also returns top scorers Madison Francis and Favour Nwaedozi, who averaged a double-double last season and earned all-conference honors. The Bulldogs will also welcome newcomers Lani Smallwood, Alabama’s Gatorade Girls Player of the Year, and Tennessee’s Miss Basketball, Andrea Flores.

MSU officials encourage fans to follow the team on social media and visit HailState.com for updates on women’s basketball.

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