Updated April 13, 2026, 7:27 p.m. CT
Ole Miss women’s basketball star Cotie McMahon is off the board in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
The 6-foot ahead from Dayton, Ohio, was picked by the Washington Mystics with the No. 11 pick in the primary spherical on April 13. She is the fourth Ole Miss participant drafted throughout coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin‘s tenure and ninth total.
McMahon averaged 19.5 factors, 5.1 rebounds and three.0 assists in the 2025-26 season, reaching career-highs in factors and assists. She completed third in the SEC in scoring and was named SEC Newcomer of the Year and picked to the All-SEC first workforce.
The positives for Ole Miss’ Cotie McMahon
In one season in the SEC after transferring from Ohio State, McMahon proved she might be an elite scorer, even towards among the most bodily groups in school basketball. McMahon is a power when driving downhill to the basket, and her energy permits her to complete by way of contact on the rim.
McPhee-McCuin has mentioned that McMahon has probably the most pro-ready physique of any of her earlier prime WNBA prospects, together with Madison Scott and Shakira Austin.
McMahon additionally managed to keep up her effectivity even whereas taking probably the most photographs of her profession. She shot 45.1% from the ground whereas averaging 15.2 shot makes an attempt per sport.
McMahon’s velocity allowed her to take cost in transition, main Ole Miss down the court docket in quick breaks. This talent provides one other layer to her scoring profile and in addition contributed to her career-high 3.0 assists per sport this season.
The issues for Ole Miss’ Cotie McMahon
McMahon could have been mildly environment friendly contained in the arc, however the identical cannot be mentioned for past it. She shot 28.6% from exterior the 3-point line. It’s nonetheless the second-best mark of her profession however a big lower from 37.4% in 2024-25.
Though McMahon performed spots one by way of 4 in school, her pure place is on the wing. After a season in which she spent loads of time at level guard, operating the Rebels’ offense with the ball in her hand, the adjustment again to taking part in extra constantly on the wing with out the ball, and even inside as a real ahead, could possibly be powerful for McMahon.
Final ideas
There are a number of facets of McMahon’s sport that will gradual her adjustment to the subsequent degree. However, her capacity to attain on the rim is a constructive, and he or she is an extremely robust participant who, not like most rookies, will doubtless be rather more well-equipped to deal with the WNBA’s elevated physicality.
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports activities for theClarion Ledger. Email her attreid@usatodayco.com and observe her on X @tiareid65.
