“I learned from Dawn Staley and Kyra Elzy”: Eniya Russell takes learnings from best minds to Mississippi State
Eniya Russell saw an increase in her minutes last season, resulting in more overall impact on the floor. Coming off averages of 3.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 34.5% shooting in 2022-23, she posted 10.1 ppg and 3.6 apg on 41.2% shooting last season.
The guard entered the transfer portal this summer, landing with the Mississippi State Bulldogs. It is the third program for the fifth-year hooper. However, when it comes to her improvement, the guard still remembers Dawn Staley and her Kentucky coach Kyra Elzy's impact on her game.
"They (teammates) actually help me a lot," Russell said via Gene's Page. "When they need a helping hand, I will be there. I would say my knowledge and IQ help a lot. I learned from Dawn Staley and Kyra Elzy."
Eniya Russell began her college career under Dawn Staley's Gamecocks, where she spent two years. She averaged around 7.0 minutes for Staley, averaging 2.5 points and 1.1 rebounds on 2.3 field goal attempts per game.
Russell transferred to the Kentucky Wildcats, gradually improving to 7.4 ppg and 2.7 rpg on 7.1 field goal attempts per game. However, as a program, Wildcats was not able to shake off its rough patch in these two years. This resulted in the program firing Kyra Elzy this summer.
Eniya Russell is eyeing team success over individual accolades in her last year
Even though Kentucky was quick to bring in Kenny Brooks (former Virginia Tech coach), Eniya Russell decided to head for Mississippi State.
Given that it's her last year of college eligibility, the guard was seeking a bigger role. Even though she grew significantly at Kentucky, she had only started two games.
With that, Russell committed to the Bulldogs in April. Moreover, rather than assuming a huge role for herself, she is determined to do whatever is necessary for the team to succeed.
"Whatever coach wants me to do," Russell said during the same interview. "If he wants me to get a bucket, I will. If he wants me to make a defensive stop, then I will."
One of the biggest reasons behind her leaning for Mississippi State was Eniya Russell's connection with Bulldogs coach Sam Purcell. The two got to know each other during Russell’s high school recruitment stage and have cultivated a bond ever since.