Missy Odom Shines in Florida State Basketball Debut

Freshman standout Missy Odom scored 19 points in an exhibition win for the Florida State women’s basketball team.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive sports illustration of a basketball player in garnet and gold performing a jump shot with motion blur. — Florida State freshman Missy Odom impressed in her debut, scoring 19 points during an exhibition win against Palm Beach Atlantic. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Five-star recruit Missy Odom impressed in her debut, helping Florida State secure a 106-40 exhibition victory over Palm Beach Atlantic at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. Odom contributed 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists during the game.

Why it matters

Managing a dual-sport athlete requires coordination between the basketball and softball coaching staffs to ensure Odom maintains her physical health across overlapping seasons. This strategy allows the standout prospect to contribute across both programs while balancing her athletic workload.

Odom, ranked 21st nationally by ESPNW, recorded a near triple-double in her first game with the team. Florida State finished the contest with a dominant 66-point margin of victory.

The players

Missy Odom

A dual-sport freshman athlete at Florida State who is a highly-ranked basketball prospect and softball recruit.

Florida State University

The Tallahassee-based university supporting Odom as she balances a multi-sport collegiate career.

The details

Odom, who was named Alabama’s Class 5A Player of the Year in 2024, is also a top-10 softball recruit who participated in Florida State’s fall softball season. She plans to attend bullpen practices throughout the basketball season before shifting her full focus to softball once the basketball schedule concludes.

Missy Odom earned the Alabama Class 5A Player of the Year award in 2024.
Odom competed in the exhibition game against Palm Beach Atlantic on October 23, 2026.
The Florida State women’s basketball team plays its season opener against Merrimack on October 26, 2026.

Season Trajectory

Odom's participation reflects the evolving management of elite multi-sport athletes within Division I programs. Her ability to transition between basketball and softball rosters will serve as a test case for balancing physical demands during an increasingly competitive season.

Odom’s strong performance in the exhibition suggests she will likely feature prominently in the early rotation for the season opener against Merrimack. Fans tracking the team's depth chart should monitor her minutes as she balances softball practice commitments during the fall.

The takeaway

The successful integration of dual-sport athletes requires deliberate communication and scheduling between different athletic departments. Prospective student-athletes should look to these institutional structures as a model for maintaining performance in multiple disciplines.