Why Mississippi State women's basketball star Jerkaila Jordan is returning for final season

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State women’s basketball guard Jerkaila Jordan plans to return to the program next season for her final year of eligibility, she announced via social media Tuesday.

Jordan is the team’s leading scorer after averaging 16 points per game this season to go along with 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists, and she was named second-team All-SEC. However, the importance of her return extends beyond the court.

The Bulldogs are losing a trio of veterans in forwards Jessika Carter and Erynn Barnum, and guard Lauren Park-Lane. For coach Sam Purcell, Jordan’s decision is the first major move in an important offseason.

Mississippi State (21-11) fell short of the NCAA tournament despite having a .500 record in SEC play. However, it is the No. 2 seed in the WBIT, starting Thursday (6:30 p.m., ESPN+) with a matchup against No. 7 seed Georgia Tech (17-15) at Humphrey Coliseum.

Jordan spoke with the Clarion Ledger in an exclusive interview Monday to discuss her decision to return. Here’s what she had to say about coming back, her journey in the 2022-23 season, and the work she's putting in to return to March Madness.

Why Jerkaila Jordan is returning to Mississippi State

Jordan took part in MSU’s senior day festivities on March 3, then the Bulldogs snapped a five-game losing streak and beat Missouri. However, they closed the season losing six of seven and fell off the bubble.

“Why would I leave here?” she said. “I just felt like the end of this season probably isn’t how I wanted to finish or how I want to leave. I’ve got another extra year to come back with Coach Sam and put another team together. Specifically the fan base, I didn’t want to leave them. I just came back to finish what I started.”

Purcell told reporters Monday that the competitive spirit of his team fueled the decision to accept a bid to the WBIT, providing a chance for MSU to regain momentum at home going into the offseason.

“It’s not just for the seniors to get ready for their pro camps,” Jordan said. “It’s also for our freshman like Mjracle (Sheppard), (Jasmine Brown-Hagger) and (Quanirah Montague) to get better and get ready for next season. I feel like going into this tournament is great for us.”

How Jerkaila Jordan battled an illness in February

Jordan visited a doctor in February because she felt dehydrated. She went to get IV fluids, but the doctor informed her she had COVID-19. A few days later, she got tonsillitis (a swelling or inflammation of the tonsils). She struggled to eat — even smoothies were difficult — and that led to fatigue and a 10-pound weight loss.

Across eight games in February, Jordan’s average dipped to 12 points per game, and she shot below 40% from the field.

“It was probably the worst month I’ve ever had health-wise,” she said. “Hopefully none of that next season.”

Leading up to either the Feb. 22 loss against Kentucky or the Feb. 25 defeat at Alabama, Jordan missed three days of practice.

“I would throw up as soon as I stand up,” she said. “Every morning I was sick, but every day I was like, ‘No, I don’t want to sit out. I’ll try to play.’ It was just something like that. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. That was the worst month I ever went through.”

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Jerkaila Jordan’s work toward next season

Jordan transferred to Mississippi State from Tulane ahead of the 2021-22 season with the goal of playing in the NCAA tournament. She accomplished that last season, highlighted by a 20-point outing in a round-of-64 win against No. 6 seed Creighton.

To get back next season, Mississippi State will need to revamp its roster with help from the transfer portal, which opened Monday. When she’s not playing, Jordan considers herself a recruiter for the staff.

“They’re coming to a program that’s building up, to a coach that’s hard-working, a coach that’ll run through a wall for you and players that are giving 100%,” Jordan said of her message to prospects.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jerkaila Jordan: Mississippi State women's basketball star returning