McMillan, Yates, Irby sign at Next Level

PERKINSTON — Three Mississippi Gulf Coast women's basketball players have signed letters of intent to continue their college careers.

Kristen McMillan signed with NCAA Division I UNC Asheville, Tamia Yates will play at NAIA Brescia University and Allison Irby is headed to NCAA Division III Spring Hill College.

McMillan, a sophomore forward from Hoover, Ala., was a starter on the Bulldogs' MACCC and NJCAA Region 23 championship team in 2024. After battling injuries this season, she bounced back down the stretch with six straight double-digit scoring performances, including a career-high 24 against Holmes in the postseason.

"Coach B (assistant Carla Bartee) definitely got me ready for the D-I level," McMillan said. "It brought me up there skill-wise."

McMillan will play for Coach Tynesha Lewis at UNC Asheville, which plays in the Big South Conference.

"I chose Asheville because of the coaches and the way it feels like family," McMillan said. "I love the location. Asheville's a very beautiful city, and I love the downtown. They're big on academics, too."

Gulf Coast coach Hope Adams recruited McMillan because she was a four-time state champion in Alabama.

"Kristen brought championship pedigree to our program," Adams said. "She was a great asset to help us get over the hump last year and win championships. She's stretched the floor out for us and was just a great person for our program over the last two years."

Yates, a sophomore center from Crystal Springs, was also a member of the 2025 championship team.

"Being here helped me work harder and play better," she said. "My work ethic became better while I was here."

She will play for Coach Nick Chaykowsky at Brescia, which is in Owensboro, Kentucky. The Bearcats finished 20-8 last season, ending up in the River State Conference Tournament semifinals.

"I like the coaches and the people there," Yates said. "They have a great facility. It's real quiet. It's small. So I feel like it'll be the best option."

Adams praised her defensive presence, as well as her ability to rebound and run the floor. She called her a "great person."

"She's a great teammate, great person, great player to coach," Adams said. "She's a culture kid. She came in, she hit the road running with development. I think this year we really saw how she blossomed as a player

Irby, a freshman forward from Olive Branch, started nine games as a freshman this year. She averaged 5.4 points and 4.8 rebounds as a Bulldog.

"It helped me grow mentally and physically," she said. "I got better as a player, and I can get better there, too."

She will play at Spring Hill for coach Dan Presel. The Badgers play in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, where they reached the conference tournament quarterfinals.

Adams called Irby a ray of sunshine at practice each day. She was a team captain as a freshman.

"You can't find just a better person, just a great person, great teammate," Adams said. "Her teammates call her Mama Irby because she makes sure that she's always taking care of everyone."

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