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Mississippi State women's basketball starter Chloe Bibby transferring to Maryland

Former Mississippi State women's basketball starter Chloe Bibby will continue her career at Maryland, the school announced in a statement Wednesday.

A 6-foot-1 junior forward from Australia, Bibby became one of the highest-profile players exploring a move when she entered her name in the transfer portal following former Mississippi State coach Vic Schaefer's recent decision to leave for Texas.

Bibby's addition helps Maryland and coach Brenda Frese offset the loss of another high-profile transfer after all-conference forward Shakira Austin entered her name in the portal in March.

"I'm so excited to begin this new adventure at the University of Maryland," Bibby said in a statement. "With the passion [Frese] and her staff have for their players, fans and the game, I feel truly blessed to have this opportunity to be a part of such a great and competitive program."

Bibby started 31 of Mississippi State's 33 games as a junior and averaged 7.5 points and 5.2 rebounds. She was also the team's most prolific 3-point shooter. A freshman reserve on the second of back-to-back Bulldogs teams that reached the NCAA championship game, she then averaged 11.9 points per game in 18 starts as a sophomore before tearing her ACL.

"Her experience in the SEC and internationally will be invaluable to our young team," Frese said in a statement. "At 6-1, Chloe is a very versatile player that can play inside and out. She can shoot the three and will be another strong rebounder for us."

If she doesn't receive a waiver from the NCAA, Bibby would likely have to sit out the 2020-21 season.

Maryland also announced the addition of Katie Benzan, a 5-foot-6 guard from Harvard. Benzan was a first-team all-conference selection in each of her three seasons at Harvard but elected to leave the basketball team prior to the 2019-20 season. She averaged a career-best 14.3 points and 4.2 assists per game as a junior during the 2018-19 season.

A graduate transfer, Benzan will be immediately eligible for Maryland.