Connecticut transfer Espinoza-Hunter picks Mississippi State

Quite a week for Vic Schaefer.

After deciding to transfer from perennial powerhouse Connecticut,  Andra Espinoza-Hunter has committed to Mississippi State.

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Espinoza-Hunter was on an official visit in Starkville over the weekend when Mississippi State defeated South Carolina in front of an announced crowd of 10,794, a record for the Humphrey Coliseum. She was the #15 ranked prospect in the 2017 class according to ESPN and #10 according to Blue Star.

Espinoza-Hunter played sparingly for the Huskies, seeing action in just seven games, averaging two points per game. Her high school career, however, contained a plethora of impressive achievements. The 2017 New York Gatorade Player of the Year and Co-Miss New York State Basketball, Espinoza-Hunter finished her career averaging 36.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.1 apg and 3.0 spg. She scored 995 points her senior season alone, breaking the New York State Public High School Athletic Association record.

In addition, Espinoza-Hunter also was a member of the 2015 U-16 United States national team and averaged 10.0 ppg and 3.8 rpg as Team USA went 4-1 and won a bronze medal at the FIBA Americas Championship.

An Ossining, NY native, Espinoza-Hunter, originally committed to UConn as a high school sophomore, something she regrets in hindsight.

“I think if I didn’t commit at such a young age, I would’ve been able to explore more options,” she said in an interview with LoHud. “Just to look at other schools, see what other schools had to offer as well.”

After deciding to transfer and leaving UConn, Espinoza-Hunter’s high school coach, Dan Ricci, announced on twitter that she was considering six schools.

Mississippi State was the only school she had visited at the time of her commitment and subsequent signing with the Bulldogs. After Mississippi State’s win Monday night, and a postgame follow-up conversation with Schaefer and his staff, she decided there’d be no need to go anywhere else.

She will join Jessika Carter, Daphane White and Xaria Wiggins as newcomers on campus for Mississippi State next season. NCAA rules state that a transfer must sit out for a full year at their new institution.