Boosting Karma: Uncovering the Power of Paying It Forward in Mississippi State

STARKVILLE – When tuning into ESPN, viewers are very likely to come across Andraya Carter, a former Tennessee Lady Vol basketball player who has quickly risen to become one of the top women in sportscasting. Carter’s career has skyrocketed over the past five years, covering college basketball and football, as well as the NBA Draft. However, despite her success, Carter hasn’t forgotten the names of those who supported her along the way, such as Maria Taylor, Carolyn Peck, and Rebecca Lobo.

Inspired by her mentors, Carter now takes the opportunity to give back. Recently, she spent an afternoon and evening with the Mississippi State women’s basketball team. Carter provided them with valuable advice on how to handle interviews with reporters and emphasized the importance of being genuine in order to maximize their opportunities both in basketball and beyond.

“The only way I can repay those who helped me is by doing things like this,” said Carter. “This is my way of emulating them and being open to anyone who needs assistance.”

This experience proved to be mutually beneficial, as Carter had the chance to honor her mentors while the Bulldogs learned from one of the most talented broadcasters in the industry.

Sam Purcell, the head coach of the Mississippi State women’s basketball team, spoke highly of Carter. “When you talk about Andraya Carter, you’re talking about a strong female who not only played college basketball at the highest level but also became a broadcaster through hard work. Having her educate our young women on responding to questions and speaking effectively only strengthens our team of powerful women.”

During the session, Carter utilized videos from real press conferences to teach the players how to best handle media inquiries. She provided tips on body language, active listening, and the importance of expressing thoughts clearly and deliberately. Carter reminded the players that an interview holds the potential to be much more than a simple question-and-answer session, using herself as an example.

Carter explained that her broadcasting career was a result of her previous interviews as a player, which showcased her eloquence and knowledge of the game. She emphasized the need for student-athletes to think about their future and how they want to present themselves, offering tools to help them achieve their goals beyond basketball.

With her firsthand experience as a player-turned-reporter, Carter conducted mock interviews with each player, providing individualized instruction. She guided them on expanding upon topics, redirecting questions, and highlighting subjects they were passionate about.

The impact of Carter’s visit was immediate and will have a lasting effect on the Bulldogs. Center Jessika Carter noted, “This was very unique. I don’t feel like a lot of teams are doing things like this and getting prepared like this.”

Carter’s ultimate goal was to make a lasting impression on the next generation of players by thanking those who have impacted her own journey and helping these women become more than just athletes. She recognized the investment made by Coach Sam and Mississippi State in creating a comfortable and empowering environment for their players.