Head Women’s Basketball Coach Rob Cross has announced that Erica Burgess (Memphis, Tenn./Central) will be transferring in to the Racers program from Southeastern Louisiana. Burgess will be a sophomore, but will not be eligible to play until the 2011-12 season due to NCAA DI transfer rules.
The 5-6 guard played in 30 games for SELA as a freshman. She led the Lions in steals (43) and second in field goal percentage (49.5%) and assists (78). Burgess finished the season fifth on the team in scoring (6.5 points/game), while only averaging 21 minutes per contest.
“Erica will bring incredible quickness and athleticism,” said Cross. “She does a great job of breaking defenders down and getting into the paint where she has the ability to finish strong or create for others. She is a tenacious defender with the ability to wreak havoc on that end of the floor. Her experience as a contributor on a Division I team, coupled with the year of experience she will get in practice as she sits out this season will help her contribute from the first day she suits up for the Racers.”
At Memphis Central High School Burgess was a starting point guard and was one of the top guards in the city of Memphis. The All-Region selection led her team to a District 16-AAA title as a junior. Burgess averaged 14 points, five rebounds, six assists and six teams as a prep.
Besides her time at Memphis Central, Burgess has also been a member of the top travel team Memphis Flight for coach Greg James, with future MSU teammate Jessica Winfrey.
“Erica is a great student that will transfer to Murray State with the credentials of being a Dean’s List student at Southeastern Louisiana and a 4.0 graduate from Memphis Central High School,” Cross added. “She will be a tremendous addition to the MSU community.”