Mississippi State Lands Top In-State Prospect Macie Phifer

Bulldogs beat out Ole Miss to bring home the standout freshman guard after her breakout season at Middle Tennessee.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:57pm

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Mississippi State has landed a major in-state recruiting win, securing a commitment from Middle Tennessee transfer Macie Phifer. The Ingomar High School product was one of the top prospects in Mississippi in recent years, winning multiple state championships and individual awards before a standout freshman campaign with the Blue Raiders. Phifer will now return home to play for the Bulldogs, bolstering their roster for next season.

Why it matters

This commitment represents an important recruiting victory for Mississippi State, as the program has struggled to consistently win battles for the state's top talent in recent years. Phifer's decision to transfer back home signals that head coach Sam Purcell is making progress in rebuilding the Bulldogs' roster and establishing the program as an attractive destination for elite in-state prospects.

The details

Phifer averaged 11.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists as a freshman at Middle Tennessee, earning a spot on the All-CUSA Freshman Team. She shot 35.9% from three-point range and had four games with at least 20 points, including a 22-point, 5-rebound, 3-assist, 6-steal performance against Delaware. Prior to college, Phifer was a dominant high school player, winning four state championships at Ingomar High School and earning numerous individual accolades such as being named Mississippi Miss Basketball twice.

  • Phifer committed to Mississippi State on April 13, 2026.
  • She previously played her freshman season at Middle Tennessee in the 2025-26 campaign.

The players

Macie Phifer

A 6-1 guard who was a standout high school player in Mississippi, winning four state championships at Ingomar High School and earning numerous individual awards before a productive freshman season at Middle Tennessee.

Sam Purcell

The head coach of the Mississippi State women's basketball team, who has made landing top in-state talent a priority in rebuilding the Bulldogs' program.

Ole Miss

The in-state rival that Mississippi State beat out to land the commitment of Macie Phifer.

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What they’re saying

β€œπˆππ†πŽπŒπ€π‘, 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐔𝐏! Welcome home, Macie!”

β€” Mississippi State Women's Basketball, Twitter account

What’s next

Mississippi State will look to continue building its roster for the 2026-27 season, with Phifer's addition providing a major boost to the Bulldogs' lineup.

The takeaway

This commitment represents an important recruiting victory for Mississippi State, as the program has struggled to consistently land the state's top talent in recent years. Phifer's decision to transfer back home to play for the Bulldogs is a sign that head coach Sam Purcell is making progress in rebuilding the roster and establishing Mississippi State as an attractive destination for elite in-state prospects.