Ole Miss’ Coach Yo Responds to Accusations of Tampering in Landing Lady Vols Transfer Talaysia Cooper
KNOXVILLE, TN – February 16, 2025 – Guard Talaysia Cooper #55 of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers at Food City Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics
On Wednesday, former Lady Vols basketball star Talaysia Cooper announced she will be joining Ole Miss through the transfer portal to round out her career. Quickly following the announcement, fans began to point out the drama that ensued following Tennessee’s loss in Oxford this past year.
When Rebels head coach Yolett ‘Coach Yo’ McPhee-McCuin went to shake Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell’s hand after the game, Caldwell shook her hand but continued to walk by, not sharing any words or making eye contact with McPhee-McCuin.
After the game, McPhee-McCuin said she thinks Caldwell was ‘probably just really ready to go’ and that she likes the UT head coach. Now, there’s accuesations it was a response from Caldwell to the tampering of her players.
McPhee-McCuin took to her X account to try to shut that down on Wednesday.
“Can you all please stop this tired narrative?” McPhee-McCuin wrote. “Find another way to cope! Please!!!!! Just yappin!”
Can you all please stop with this tired narrative? Find another way to cope! Please!!!!! Just yappin! https://t.co/8KCjHaFxls
— Coach Yo (@YolettMcCuin) April 8, 2026
More From RTI: Former Lady Vols Basketball Star Talaysia Cooper Staying in SEC Through Transfer Portal
The Rebels won the game at home 94-81. Cooper finished with 30 points in the game with two rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Cooper was Tennessee’s leading scorer and assister in the 2025-26 season, posting 16.0 points and 3.6 assists per game. This came on 42.9% shooting from the field and 34.3% from range. She also contributed 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 steals per contest.
“Talaysia is a key piece to this reload here at Ole Miss,” McPhee-McCuin said in a statement. “I’ve known her since she was in 9th grade and I’ve always been a fan of her game. There’s no doubt in my mind, Coop will thrive with a fresh start and reach her peak to compete at the highest level and prepare for her future as a pro.”
This will be the final season of eligibility for Cooper as she looks to play her way onto WNBA draft boards. She’ll also likely return to Knoxville with the Rebels next season, though the schedule is not yet revealed.
