Claire Hudson has many characteristics of a college player.

Claire Hudson College Signing Photo Gallery

The Mexico senior will have the chance to prove it next season when she joins the NJCAA Division II Kirkwood Community College women’s basketball program out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Hudson signed during a ceremony last Wednesday at the Mexico Sports Complex.

Hudson said she started considering a future as a college player since joining summer travel ball team Missouri Phenom around eighth grade. Before that, she said she played but didn’t think college basketball was in her future based on where she was at that time. Much has changed, and specifically, much has been done by her to make this happen.

“When I was younger, I always played basketball, but I really never thought this was a possibility,” Hudson said. “Being that young with all of the older good kids, you’ve got to be very talented to play at the next level and a lot of work needs to be done to get there. It’s crazy thinking now that I am here, but I’m really excited.”

Hudson said she was exposed to much talent with Missouri Phenom, which operates out of Kansas City and has a long list of alumni who played in college including former Lady Bulldog and current Columbia College Cougar Mya Miller. At Phenom, Hudson said girls of all ages practice with each other so the eighth graders were in the same gym with the high school seniors. 

Four of her Phenom coaches — Greg Logsdon, Shann Sievers, Dennis Baggett and Jason Porter — were there at the ceremony and are all people Hudson looked up to and respected. Another coach that fits that description is her current Mexico head coach Makenzie Mudd. For Hudson’s four years, Mudd has been a coach and is in her second year as the head coach. 

“Definitely, before I even started in this role, I knew she had the potential and desire to play at the next level,” Mudd said. “It’s really great to see her be able to fulfill that dream, especially with the leadership and abilities I have seen from her the past few years.”

Hudson was an all-conference player in the North Central Missouri Conference as a sophomore and junior, averaging 14.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and two steals last season and 10.7 points and 4.8 rebounds two seasons prior. She said she has always wanted to help the team out in any way she could, improving herself and others in the process.

Mudd said Hudson has many qualities a college player would need. Hudson was an unanimous pick for team captain so Mudd said her leadership is recognized, she isn’t scared to be the point guard so she has confidence in her abilities and she is also versatile.

“She’s played post for us before, she’s played down low, she’s played the wing, she’s played the top and where she fits or wherever she needs to be,” Mudd said. “She’s willing to do whatever we need and is somebody that when she is out or is in foul trouble, it definitely takes a toll on the rest of the team because of the different places we can put her and different things she’s able to do for the team.”

Hudson loves filling different roles because she can be used in different lineups and help the team in various ways such as, but not limited to, playing down low or playing guard and guarding the big girl or guard on defense. She said this makes it harder to take her off the floor along with the effort and knowledge she gains from doing many tasks.

“It gives me different perspectives of the game depending on where I’m playing,” Hudson said. “It’s always something new for me and is never boring.”

Kirkwood head coach and NJCAA Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Kim Muhl will be gaining a well-rounded player while Hudson joins a well-accomplished program. Kirkwood has won at least 30 games in each of the previous three seasons and won national championships in 2022 and 2024. The Eagles won their first 11 games this season.

Hudson said Kirkwood has the track record of a good program, obviously, and the school offered her major of medical science so she can eventually attend her graduate school — Anesthesia Assistant School at University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2028.

“I love the atmosphere up there,” Hudson said. “It felt very much like home. It’s a big town, but it has a small town feel. I love the coach. He’s so sweet, and he has a very winning record (of 1,045-171).”

Hudson wants to decrease her turnovers and adjust to Kirkwood’s style of play and team roster full of well-rounded girls like her. Mudd isn’t shocked because Hudson has always searched for ways to improve.

“She wants to score and wants to create,” Mudd said. “That’s something not a lot of players can just naturally do. We’ll definitely miss that with the point value. She’s also good at communication on the floor. She’s loud, and she’ll direct people. I’ve definitely been impressed with her ability to adapt, and she is always willing to ask questions.”

Hudson said she will miss playing with her sophomore sister Grace Hudson at Mexico but is looking forward to the next level. She said she used to be that freshman that stayed at the perimeter and is now a player that attacks the basket and avoids the “live and die by the three” style of play. 

“I’ve gotten more confident,” Hudson said. “That just comes with practice and being in the gym. That’s how you get confidence, and that’s helped with the mental part of my game.”