Top 2025 recruit Madison Francis commits to Mississippi State

Top 2025 recruit Madison Francis has committed to the Mississippi State Bulldogs, she told On3. Francis held other offers from Michigan State, Illinois, Louisville, North Carolina, Ohio State and more. 

“My relationship with coach Sam [Purcell] started from the time he was at Louisville,” Francis told On3. “I believe it was over two years ago, almost 3 years ago. There is just something about his energy. You just want to be around that positivity. It’s contagious.”

The 6-foot-1 post player from Lancaster (NY) Lancaster High School had a challenging decision to make, but knew Mississippi State was where she belonged. 

“It was a very, very hard decision to choose Mississippi State,” Francis told On3. “It is one of my biggest decisions to date. I didn’t know until I knew, If that makes sense. I had the opportunity to visit and be recruited by some of the top schools and talent in the country. They were all great and I built solid relationships during this journey. Although my family supported me throughout this process, they really allowed me to make my own decision.”

From the time she stepped on campus, she knew. 

“Once I took my visit and met the supporting staff and team, It felt like home,” Francis told On3. “From the school and the coaching staff to the community and the team, it wasn’t just about basketball. It’s about becoming the best student-athlete I can be with the support of an incredible coaching staff, teammates, and academic resources.”

Now that she’s made her decision, she’s looking ahead to the future. 

“I’m really excited about the 2025 recruiting class and what we can build together at Mississippi State.”

Mississippi State and head coach Sam Purcell have now landed three top-100 recruits for the 2025 class, which includes Jaylah Lampley and Nataliyah Gray who recently committed.