Bill Text: MS HR142 | 2026 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Erick Dampier, Jr.; commend upon being named MAIS Player of the Year.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Passed) 2026-03-26 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR142 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-HR142-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative McMillan
House Resolution 142
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING ERICK DAMPIER, JR., UPON BEING NAMED MIDSOUTH ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (MAIS) PLAYER OF THE YEAR.
WHEREAS, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Madison-Ridgeland Academy Basketball Team, Erick Dampier, Jr., has been named Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Player of the Year, cementing his place at the pinnacle of basketball excellence; and
WHEREAS, Erick Dampier, Jr., is the son of Erick Dampier, Sr., a 16-year NBA veteran, and Yolanda Dampier, who received a scholarship for basketball to Jackson State University, as well as the grandson of Marvin Brown, who earned a place in the Jackson State Sports Hall of Fame for basketball; and
WHEREAS, the 6-foot-10 sophomore, who plays center for the MRA Patriots, is carrying on his family's legacy of greatness and is currently ranked as the No. 1 player in the country for the Class of 2028; and
WHEREAS, as an assistant coach for the basketball team at MRA, Erick Dampier, Sr., has witnessed firsthand the amazing progress the younger Dampier has made on the team over the years, thanks in part to the meticulous coaching and mentorship he has provided to his son to help him prepare for his future, both on and off the court; and
WHEREAS, after being ranked as the top seventh grade player in the country, Erick joined the varsity basketball team as an eighth grader, the third player to do so in Mississippi Hall of Fame Coach Richard Duease's tenure, and he was an immediate standout on the hardwood, averaging 10 points and nine rebounds in his debut varsity season; and
WHEREAS, Erick continued to improve as a freshman on the team, averaging an impressive 13.5 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots per game and helping the Patriots achieve a 17-13 season record, and he was the only freshman to make the 20-player Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Team; and
WHEREAS, in the summer of 2025, Erick earned a coveted spot on the 12-member Team USA Under-16 basketball team, and he represented the country with exemplary sportsmanship and talent on the international stage at the FIBA U-16 AmeriCup in Ju�rez, Mexico, helping Team USA bring home the gold and averaging 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in six starts; and
WHEREAS, already ranking as the No. 3 overall prospect in his class before the start of his sophomore season, Erick has risen to new heights this year, becoming even more aggressive in the paint, growing stronger and more confident, jumping higher, and playing way above the rim, and his tremendous improvement has blown away Coach Duease, who has seen a stunning transformation in the young athlete over the past year; and
WHEREAS, Erick is averaging 15.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.4 blocked shots, 1.2 steals and shooting 68% from the field this season, and his sophomore year highlight reel will surely feature the career-high 34 points he scored against Hartfield Academy, the 22 rebounds gained against Choctaw Central and Simpson Academy, and the 26 double-doubles he has secured; and
WHEREAS, throughout the two tournament games of the MAIS Class 4A, Division I State Championship, Erick averaged 22.5 points, 13 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots for the Patriots, and after dominating on the boards and in the scoring column with a game-high 20 points in the championship game against Jackson Prep, he was named the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Boys Basketball Player of the Week for his extraordinary performance and his role in advancing the team to the MAIS Overall Tournament; and
WHEREAS, the Patriots played their final game under the tutelage of the legendary Coach Duease on February 24, 2026, at A.E. Wood Coliseum, showcasing their tenacity, skill and determination at the overall championship game, and Erick once again forged the path to victory for the team, scoring 25 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and blocking eight shots to secure the title in a 65-53 triumph over Jackson Academy; and
WHEREAS, with at least one offer already received from Mississippi State, his father's alma mater, Erick has performed under the watchful eye of national scouts eager to recruit him for the top teams across America, drawing increased attention with his rare ability to read defenses, make the right plays, and anchor his team, but Erick remains focused on the present as he prepares for his junior year with the Patriots, training with unmatched dedication and broadening his knowledge of the sport to refine his skills in execution; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize outstanding Mississippi student-athletes, especially those such as Erick Dampier, Jr., and it is with immense pride that we congratulate this basketball prodigy, who has brought great honor to his school, his community and the entire State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Erick Dampier, Jr., upon being named Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Player of the Year, and extend best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Erick Dampier, Jr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
