Mississippi State Basketball: Looking back at the Bulldogs career of Victoria Vivians
By Matt Melton
An accomplished in-state prospect out of high school, Victoria Vivians is simply one of the best players to ever put on a Mississippi State Basketball uniform. A four-year starter in Starkville, where does Vivians rank among the all-time Bulldogs’ greats?
Looking back at the Mississippi State Basketball career of Victoria Vivians
As mentioned previously, Vivians originally came to Mississippi State back in the Class of 2014 as a highly-touted in-state recruit out of Scott Central High School. As you’d expect as well, Vivians was a day-one impact player for the Bulldogs as a freshman where she led Mississippi State with 14.9 PPG (third in the SEC), while also named Second Team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman.
Coming off that phenomenal freshman season, Vivians would once again rank among the top of the SEC in scoring at 17.1 PPG (second in SEC) as a sophomore, while also ranking highly in three-point shooting. Vivians would also receive numerous honors and accolades during the 2015-16 season, headlined by a First Team All-SEC selection.
Having already passed the 1,000-point mark for her Mississippi State career before even entering her junior season, Vivians as you’d expect would continue her impressive offensive run during the 2016-17 campaign. Leading the Bulldogs with 16.2 PPG, Vivians would once again be named First Team All-SEC, as well as a Third Team All-American for a Mississippi State team that reached the national championship game.
Already a phenomenal collegiate career up to that point, Vivians would put the finishing touches on that career in 2017-18 as a senior, averaging 19.8 PPG while shooting career-highs in field goal (48.5%), three-point (40.4%), and free throw percentages (80.9%). Named a First Team All-American for a Mississippi State team that reached the national championship game once again, Vivians would also receive numerous other honors such as First Team All-SEC, as well as becoming only the third player in Bulldogs history to surpass the 2,000-point mark for her career.
One of the most-accomplished players in Mississippi State Basketball history, Vivians would average a career 17.1 PPG and 5.3 RPG for the Bulldogs, while also ranking second in program history in total points (2,527), career FG made (923), and career 3P made (281). A multi-time All-SEC selection, Vivians also ranks top five in Mississippi State program history in career steals, free throws made, and free throw percentage, while her 2,527 career points also rank ninth overall in SEC history.
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Entering the 2018 WNBA Draft after her senior season, Vivians would be selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the first round by the Indiana Fever. Vivians has so far appeared in a total of 71 career games since 2018 (all with Indiana) where she has averaged a combined 7.6 PPG and 3 RPG.
