Mayville State’s Hughes commits to finish career at UND after recent rule change

GRAND FORKS — For the longest time, Mackenzie Hughes thought her decorated college basketball career was ending at NAIA Mayville State.

Halfway through her senior season in 2024-25 at Mayville, though, Hughes was told of a rule change that could impact her eligibility.

“I had no idea about the rule,” Hughes said. “I was just going about my season, and it was brought up to me. I didn’t think about it until the end of my basketball season here because I wanted to give all my attention to where my feet are. I had no idea that was even a thing but people were talking, and it was, oh my gosh, that’s real.”

The NCAA was essentially forced in December to grant an extra year of eligibility to junior college and NAIA athletes after a court ruled in favor of Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who argued time at those schools shouldn’t impact NCAA eligibility.

If Hughes wanted to play an extra season, it would need to be at the NCAA Division I level, per the court ruling.

Hughes’ Mayville State coach her first three seasons on campus, Dennis Hutter, was the associate head coach at UND until March 24 when Hutter was named head coach following the sudden resignation of former head coach Mallory Bernhard.

A few days ago, Hughes publicly announced she would play her final season for Hutter at UND.

“I think a big piece of it was a comfortability piece,” Hughes said. “If he wasn’t one of the coaches, I don’t know if I would have looked into it. The familiarity makes me more comfortable. That’s a really big piece going into a new program.”

Hughes, who was named to the NAIA All-American third team, averaged 20.9 points and shot 45.1 percent from the field last season.

She was 60-for-175 from 3-point range (34.2 percent) and recorded 150 rebounds and 108 assists. Hughes ended her Comets career with 1,647 points, 214 steals, 302 assists and 410 rebounds.

Hughes has been a pest at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. She led Mayville to a win over UND as a junior, then scored 32 points, with nine steals and no turnovers in a losing effort as a senior.

In what was once viewed as Hughes’ Betty finale in December 2024

, Mayville State led UND by nine points in the fourth quarter, but the Fighting Hawks closed the game on a 24-3 run to win 73-61.

“I think it’s always fun,” Hughes said of playing against Division I competition at Mayville. “The exhibition games, we were always very competitive. Every athlete would think can I do this at the Division I level? Not many get this opportunity. I think that thought was always there. I don’t know if I’d say I always wanted to play DI, but when the opportunity arises, it’s almost silly not to take it.”

Kerry Ring / UND athletics

Hughes, a 5-foot-4 point guard, will likely be tasked with plenty of ball-handling next season for UND, which lost eight players and four starters to the transfer portal this offseason.

One of those to exit was Grand Forks native Jocelyn Schiller, who handled the point guard duties in big minutes as a true freshman.

“I play with a lot of energy and passion,” Hughes said. “I’m 5-4, so I’m not big. On the floor, I feel 6-5. I’m excited to bring my energy. Coach Hutter’s style is very intense and fast-paced.”

Hughes expects to bring needed experience to a UND roster that has recently added a pair of power conference transfers with little or no college basketball game experience.

Hughes said sometimes the different divisions of basketball receive inaccurate perceptions.

“I think that’s absurd,” she said. “I know every level is different but the way you lead a team is beneficial to every single level. I’ve learned from really good leaders and am excited to bring that to UND with me.”

Before Hughes comes to UND, though, she needs to finish her Mayville State softball career. Hughes is a four-year starting outfielder for the Comets.

Hughes said she hasn’t played any basketball since the season ended.

“Right now, I’m focusing on finishing my softball career and season,” Hughes said. “When Hutter was here … basketball mostly gets me year-round … he was always big on finishing the softball season. He’s been the exact same way with this. Finish the season, then we’ll figure it all out.”

Hughes knows it’s unique she hasn’t played basketball since after the season finished.

“I know that sounds crazy, but that’s how I’ve done it the last four years,” she said.

Hughes will graduate from Mayville in May in business administration.

“I’m really excited for another opportunity and love to play for coach Hutter,” Hughes said. “I’m excited for another year of basketball and don’t have to say goodbye to basketball just yet. I’m nervous to come to a new team but coach Hutter is always good with having a good culture. He wants to bring that culture there, and I have all the faith in him doing that.”