Ole Miss women’s basketball star Cotie McMahon is off the board in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
The 6-foot forward from Dayton, Ohio, was picked by the Washington Mystics with the No. 11 pick in the first round on April 13. She is the fourth Ole Miss player drafted during coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s tenure and ninth overall.
McMahon averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists in the 2025-26 season, achieving career-highs in points and assists. She finished third in the SEC in scoring and was named SEC Newcomer of the Year and picked to the All-SEC first team.
The positives for Ole Miss’ Cotie McMahon
In one season in the SEC after transferring from Ohio State, McMahon proved she can be an elite scorer, even against some of the most physical teams in college basketball. McMahon is a force when driving downhill to the basket, and her strength allows her to finish through contact at the rim.
McPhee-McCuin has said that McMahon has the most pro-ready body of any of her previous top WNBA prospects, including Madison Scott and Shakira Austin.
McMahon also managed to maintain her efficiency even while taking the most shots of her career. She shot 45.1% from the floor while averaging 15.2 shot attempts per game.
McMahon’s speed allowed her to take charge in transition, leading Ole Miss down the court in fast breaks. This skill adds another layer to her scoring profile and also contributed to her career-high 3.0 assists per game this season.
The concerns for Ole Miss’ Cotie McMahon
McMahon may have been mildly efficient inside the arc, but the same can’t be said for beyond it. She shot 28.6% from outside the 3-point line. It’s still the second-best mark of her career but a significant decrease from 37.4% in 2024-25.
Though McMahon played spots one through four in college, her natural position is on the wing. After a season in which she spent a lot of time at point guard, running the Rebels’ offense with the ball in her hand, the adjustment back to playing more consistently on the wing without the ball, or even inside as a true forward, could be tough for McMahon.
Final thoughts
There are several aspects of McMahon’s game that may slow her adjustment to the next level. However, her ability to score at the rim is a positive, and she is an incredibly strong player who, unlike most rookies, will likely be much more well-equipped to handle the WNBA’s increased physicality.
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X @tiareid65.
