The Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs signed Mamie McKinney, of Tallahassee, Fla., to a national letter of intent, head coach Sharon Fanning announced Wednesday.

McKinney, a 6-1 post player, is averaging 14.2 points per game and 13.6 rebounds per contest through five games as a senior this season for Frank Johnson’s Lincoln High Lady Trojans. She is also averaging 5.2 steals per game while shooting better than 70 percent from the free-throw line.

“Mamie has made tremendous improvement since last year,” Johnson said. “She is the heart and soul of our current team.”

McKinney helped the Lady Trojans set school records for most wins and fewest losses (22-7) as a junior last season. She led the squad in rebounds (8.9 rpg) and was third on the team in scoring, averaging nearly seven points per contest. She also led the Lady Trojans in blocked shots, with 2.7 per game, and was second in steals, with 2.5 per contest.

“She is a very athletic and versatile player,” Fanning said. “She can score on the rim, rebounds with authority, and will lead the break after rebounds. She should fit well into a motion offense and pressure defense. We expect Mamie to make a difference as a freshman.”

McKinney has a 3.0 grade point average and plans to major in computer science at Mississippi State. She is the first announced signee of MSU’s 2001-02 signing class.