Debreasha Powe: The Heart and Soul of Mississippi State Basketball

Before Sam Purcell could even unpack his UHaul van after taking the job at Mississippi State, he was in Debreasha Powe’s driveway in Meridian.

Powe had signed on to play for the Bulldogs in high school but the hiring of a new head coach had that decision in jeopardy. At least that was Purcell’s thoughts when he went to see his incoming freshman for the first time.

That was honestly news to the talented playmaker from just down the road as she never had many doubts of being a Bulldog. Since that day, Powe has exemplified exactly what a Bulldog is all about.

If State extends its season into the postseason, Powe will have a chance to play 100 games in a Bulldog uniform in just three years. In 89 games to this point, Powe has started 88 but she’s started every game she’s played over the last two years. Her presence on the court is incredibly strong, but she means a lot more to the team than just the buckets and the rebounds.

“Debreasha is like the mother of the team and has been the mother since her freshman year,” senior Jerkaila Jordan said. “It’s a role that she takes on 100%. She’s our voice when we’re down and we know that if someone is going to pick us up, it’s going to be Debreasha. We never see her with a bad attitude and she’s always smiling.

“I love Breasha. It’s my last year with her so I appreciate every moment I have with her.”

A Bulldog Through and Through

Before Purcell had even made that trip to Meridian that day three years ago, he knew that he had a special person on the way. The coach was in recruiting circles long enough to hear about Powe’s prowess on the court, but he got a chance to see her personality and get a feel for her family in person.

At the doorstep of Powe’s house, Purcell quickly learned that he had someone that could help get him through tough times from the beginning. He’s had her along for the ride the entire time through good and bad.

“She’s the ultimate woman. It’s funny how life works when you roll up your sleeves and you work hard. As simple as that sounds, a lot of people don’t have that, but she does,” Purcell said of Powe. “She’s the dream of what I want my daughters to be. She’s a woman of faith. She’s praying for us before the game. She’s going to graduate here early and pursue a master’s so what does she not do well?”

Perhaps the only thing that she doesn’t do “well” is cook, according to Purcell. Even that is an area that Powe is beginning to check off her list as she won’t be denied in whatever is put in front of her.

Powe is an SEC Academic Scholar and has already twice been chosen for the conference’s Leadership Council. She’s started podcasting, has done work for the University radio station and has plans of one day being a sportscaster. The personality is off the charts, but her genuine love for those around her is what sticks out to her teammates.

“Breasha is definitely that girl you pray for to have as a friend,” senior Chandler Prater said. “She’s going to pick you up and tell you she believes in you and she really means it. She doesn’t have to force it – it’s real and it’s genuine. Not a lot of things are authentic these days but she’s one of them. It’s really cool to have her as a teammate.”

More Than Just a Shooter

Powe is having a steady junior season as she’s helped the Bulldogs out to a 17-7 record and 4-6 mark in SEC play just beyond the midway point. She’s averaging 8.6 points per game, is closing in on a career-high in assists and is making an impressive 44% of her 3-pointers with 49 makes on the year. With 17 more hits from long range, she’ll have a new career-high there.

The 157 career made threes are already sixth in school history and her 38% career percentage is good for seventh. Powe will go down as one of the great shooters in school history, but there’s so much more to her than that.

“What’s your legacy and how do you make other people feel? Any time she talks, they listen because they respect her,” Purcell said. “There are a lot of little girls out there that look up to Powe and she gives a lot of other kids hope inside the state of Mississippi.”