Mississippi State women’s basketball continues to build a formidable squad ahead of the 2025-26 season, with head coach Sam Purcell announcing the addition of Nigerian forward Favour Nwaedozia to the Bulldogs’ roster.
Nwaedozia becomes the sixth transfer joining the team this offseason, alongside three high school recruits.
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Standing at 6-foot-3, the highly athletic Nwaedozia brings international experience and an exciting skill set to Starkville. She began her collegiate career at Mukogawa Women’s University in Nishinomiya, Japan, where she dominated the court.
In the most recent Kansai Women’s Spring Basketball Championship, she averaged an impressive 26 points and 17 rebounds per game, showcasing her dominance in the paint and beyond.
Coach Sam Purcell praised the Nigerian standout’s versatility and character, calling her “a wow factor.”
“Favour is a versatile post player who can score inside and outside,” Purcell said. “She’s extremely skillful on the court, can defend the full length of the floor, and most importantly, she has a million-dollar personality our fans will love.”
Associate head coach and offensive coordinator Fred Castro echoed the excitement, describing Nwaedozia as a rare talent.
“Favour is a freakish athlete with a nose for the ball. She attacks the rebound like few I’ve ever seen,” Castro said. “Her blend of power and speed at 6-3 makes her a matchup nightmare. She can either blow by defenders or overpower them.”
As she prepares for her debut in the SEC, Nwaedozia will not only be adapting to a new level of competition in the NCAA but also to life in Starkville — a quieter town of around 25,000 people, far smaller than the bustling urban environment she experienced in Japan.
Her addition is a major boost for a Mississippi State program aiming to climb back to the top of women’s college basketball.
