Nwaedozi, Fane And Jiménez Bring International Strength To State
November 05, 2025 | Women's Basketball
Bulldog trio boasts talent and experience from outside the United States.
STARKVILLE – The women's college basketball season has arrived, and Mississippi State is off and running. The Bulldogs are already 1-0 following a Monday night win over Davidson and a trio of international standouts are prepared to help the Bulldogs keep rolling.
Guard Awa Fane (Senegal), center Rocío Jiménez (Dominican Republic) and forward Favour Nwaedozi (Nigeria) are all ready to fearlessly attack the year ahead. These Bulldogs have adapted well to the team since their arrival in Starkville.
Nwaedozi has made a quick transition from international college play to Division I college basketball. For that, she credits those wearing the Maroon and White alongside her.
"I played two years of college and three years of high school in Japan," said Nwaedozi. "I can say that I have adapted quite well, because my teammates have helped me to understand the plays out here and what it is. It's quite physical and different from Japan, so I get lots of help from the group and it's been really great."
It was apparent in State's season opener Nwaedozi has indeed acclimated well to life at MSU. She logged her first Bulldog double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in her State debut.
Also making her first Mississippi State appearance last Monday was Fane. The junior guard, who spent the first two years of her college career at the JUCO level playing for Panola College in Texas, was excited to get her feet wet at the Division I level.
"It's a different level of playing," Fane said. "Here, it's more physical and quick. The players are tall and strong. Coming here, I'm just learning from my teammates and the seniors that are here. If I don't know something I can ask them, and they are always willing to help me learn, so it's been really good."
Jiménez is a familiar face to Bulldog fans. She arrived in Starkville in December of the 2023-24 season but did not see the court due to rehabbing from an injury. She then redshirted the 2024-25 season and is now eagerly awaiting her chance to take the court officially for the first time in the Maroon and White.
"[I will] play hard and try to help the team with whatever they need and stay together so we can win games," said Jiménez.
The 6-foot-7 center only has three years of basketball experience prior to arriving at Mississippi State, showing that she is a very quick learner and is more than ready to make her presence known at Humphrey Coliseum.
She's also displayed mental toughness as she's awaited her chance to help the Bulldogs on the floor, and that's a trait Fane believes is vital for all of State's international stars.
"I think just [mentality] will be really important, being mentally tough," said Fane. "Here, it's all about details and is more strict. You have to be really locked in and paying attention, doing what the coaches expect from us."
Strong mentalities and valuable past experiences have this trio ready to thrive in the Southeastern Conference.
"I think our mentality will be to hard work and have chemistry," Nwaedozi said. "I think that wins every game. As a team, we work hard and we have chemistry. If we know how to help each other's strengths and lapses, I think we will be fine going into any game against any team."
Nwaedozi, Jiménez, Fane and the rest of the Bulldogs continue their 2025-26 campaign on Friday against Georgia State. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. CT at The Hump, and the contest will be streamed on SEC Network+.
