Photo by: WVU Athletic Communications
October 27, 2026 11:27 AM | Women's Basketball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – While taking in some of the amusing social media postings made by a certain college sports megadonor last weekend, my mind drifted back to a conversation we had last Thursday evening with West Virginia sophomore women's basketball player Madison Parrish.
Madison told us she chose West Virginia University because of coach Mark Kellogg's reputation as a winner.
A four-star prospect two years ago coming out of Mason, Ohio, the 5-foot-11 guard was rated the nation's 74th-best player and the third-best prospect in the state of Ohio, according to 247sports, which meant she had lots of college options.
So, when her freshman season in 2026 concluded with her appearing in only 16 games and logging just 77 total minutes, the reasons for her selecting West Virginia were being put to the test.
Do I stick with the school I picked for the main reasons I picked it, or do I get into the transfer portal and look for someplace else to go to get more playing time?
That's a question every player in America now considers because it's never been easier to jump from one school to the next.
Therefore, when Madison opted to return to West Virginia for her sophomore season, that sort of made her a unicorn these days.
The most obvious question – what compelled you to come back for a second season at West Virginia University when many players in your situation would choose to transfer? – ended up being one of the last questions she answered from reporters last week.
"These people," she answered. "They recruited me out of high school and I've been able to build that connection with them and, honestly, I came here to win, and we won last year. So, there was no other choice but to stay.
"I really enjoy winning. And the coaching staff, they do a great job, and coach Kellogg is a winner," she added.
"We hear a lot how loyal recruits are and it doesn't always ring true," her coach explained. "(The Parrish family) stuck to that one, for sure, and they thought she'd have a better opportunity if she stayed, and a lot of kids should probably take that mantra. It's easier year two than it will be year one, regardless of how old you are."
When you peel back all of the layers, the conclusion Madison and her family ultimately arrived at was a logical and thoughtful way of approaching things.
Sure, it's so easy now to look for another place to play when you don't get much playing time the year prior, but each reboot means another beginning.
The time and effort you put into one place doesn't always carry over to the next.
In all his years doing this, Kellogg maintains the biggest difference in a player comes between their freshman and sophomore seasons. The transition from high school to college requires some patience, which many players (and their families) don't possess today.
And it's understandable, of course, to view things this way. Everybody knows what everybody else is doing now so comparisons can be easily made.
But circumstances and situations vary, and Madison and her family chose to take the long view on her college career instead of satisfying an immediate urge. As ESPN basketball analyst and former college coach Fran Frascilla frequently says, "Don't mess with happy."
And the pathway to happiness and success is sometimes the road that you are already traveling.
Arrival times often vary.
"I'm happy that she stuck it out, and I hope she continues to earn everything that she's getting and when she gets those opportunities to take advantage of it," Kellogg said.
Those opportunities will come.
Maybe it will be in practice, a closed scrimmage, a preseason exhibition game or one of these early season games coming up.
Whatever happens, whenever it happens, Parrish is already wiser for the experiences that she has gained playing for Mark Kellogg and his coaching staff.
"I learned a lot about pacing between the games and just staying calm and collected," she admitted. "It will come a long way. It will help shots fall and me being in the right position on defense.
"I love being a taller guard," Parrish continued. "I'm able to wall up down low if we need me to, but also, I'm able to be quick enough to guard the point guards and shooting guards at the top that are the challenges that give us."
She's already experienced the satisfaction and joy that comes with cutting down the nets following last year's Big 12 Tournament championship, the school's second since 2017. It's still a team sport and winning requires a team perspective.
Only Madison and guard Gia Cooke are returning to defend the title, which also makes that fairly common these days.
"Teams can change from year to year, but we want to uphold the standard of a winning mentality here," Parrish explained. "Now we're hunting for that second one."
"She's won a lot, so she knows what that's like," Kellogg concluded.
Fans will get their first peek at the 24th-ranked Mountaineers when they play host to Frostburg State in an exhibition game on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., inside Hope Coliseum.
There will be no live radio or streaming coverage for the contest. Admission is free.
West Virginia opens regular-season play on Tuesday, Nov. 3, against Rhode Island in Morgantown. That game also will tip off at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the 2026-27 season remain on sale through the Mountaineer Ticket Office and can be purchased by logging on to WVUGAME.com.
Madison told us she chose West Virginia University because of coach Mark Kellogg's reputation as a winner.
A four-star prospect two years ago coming out of Mason, Ohio, the 5-foot-11 guard was rated the nation's 74th-best player and the third-best prospect in the state of Ohio, according to 247sports, which meant she had lots of college options.
So, when her freshman season in 2026 concluded with her appearing in only 16 games and logging just 77 total minutes, the reasons for her selecting West Virginia were being put to the test.
Do I stick with the school I picked for the main reasons I picked it, or do I get into the transfer portal and look for someplace else to go to get more playing time?
That's a question every player in America now considers because it's never been easier to jump from one school to the next.
Therefore, when Madison opted to return to West Virginia for her sophomore season, that sort of made her a unicorn these days.
The most obvious question – what compelled you to come back for a second season at West Virginia University when many players in your situation would choose to transfer? – ended up being one of the last questions she answered from reporters last week.
"These people," she answered. "They recruited me out of high school and I've been able to build that connection with them and, honestly, I came here to win, and we won last year. So, there was no other choice but to stay.
"I really enjoy winning. And the coaching staff, they do a great job, and coach Kellogg is a winner," she added.
"We hear a lot how loyal recruits are and it doesn't always ring true," her coach explained. "(The Parrish family) stuck to that one, for sure, and they thought she'd have a better opportunity if she stayed, and a lot of kids should probably take that mantra. It's easier year two than it will be year one, regardless of how old you are."
When you peel back all of the layers, the conclusion Madison and her family ultimately arrived at was a logical and thoughtful way of approaching things.
Sure, it's so easy now to look for another place to play when you don't get much playing time the year prior, but each reboot means another beginning.
The time and effort you put into one place doesn't always carry over to the next.
In all his years doing this, Kellogg maintains the biggest difference in a player comes between their freshman and sophomore seasons. The transition from high school to college requires some patience, which many players (and their families) don't possess today.
And it's understandable, of course, to view things this way. Everybody knows what everybody else is doing now so comparisons can be easily made.
But circumstances and situations vary, and Madison and her family chose to take the long view on her college career instead of satisfying an immediate urge. As ESPN basketball analyst and former college coach Fran Frascilla frequently says, "Don't mess with happy."
And the pathway to happiness and success is sometimes the road that you are already traveling.
Arrival times often vary.
"I'm happy that she stuck it out, and I hope she continues to earn everything that she's getting and when she gets those opportunities to take advantage of it," Kellogg said.
Those opportunities will come.
Maybe it will be in practice, a closed scrimmage, a preseason exhibition game or one of these early season games coming up.
Whatever happens, whenever it happens, Parrish is already wiser for the experiences that she has gained playing for Mark Kellogg and his coaching staff.
"I learned a lot about pacing between the games and just staying calm and collected," she admitted. "It will come a long way. It will help shots fall and me being in the right position on defense.
"I love being a taller guard," Parrish continued. "I'm able to wall up down low if we need me to, but also, I'm able to be quick enough to guard the point guards and shooting guards at the top that are the challenges that give us."
She's already experienced the satisfaction and joy that comes with cutting down the nets following last year's Big 12 Tournament championship, the school's second since 2017. It's still a team sport and winning requires a team perspective.
Only Madison and guard Gia Cooke are returning to defend the title, which also makes that fairly common these days.
"Teams can change from year to year, but we want to uphold the standard of a winning mentality here," Parrish explained. "Now we're hunting for that second one."
"She's won a lot, so she knows what that's like," Kellogg concluded.
Fans will get their first peek at the 24th-ranked Mountaineers when they play host to Frostburg State in an exhibition game on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., inside Hope Coliseum.
There will be no live radio or streaming coverage for the contest. Admission is free.
West Virginia opens regular-season play on Tuesday, Nov. 3, against Rhode Island in Morgantown. That game also will tip off at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the 2026-27 season remain on sale through the Mountaineer Ticket Office and can be purchased by logging on to WVUGAME.com.
Players Mentioned
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