The 2026 WNBA draft is still six months away, but these six months are very crucial for the college players, especially the senior players who will be in talks for the draft. A bright season would put the player in the spotlight and help them land a higher draft spot. On similar grounds, Olivia Miles defended her TCU move, and another name who could benefit from such transfers is Cotie McMahon.
Transferring from Ohio State, the player will play her final season in the SEC and could well be the highlight of the program’s gameplay. Many analysts believe the forward could land a first-round pick following her move.
Cotie McMahon Benefitting From Ole Miss Move
Initially, it was the ‘personal touch’ that led her to make her recent decision to transfer to Ole Miss. Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin made an impact in her pitch that impressed the young forward. The youngster could see McPhee-McCuin’s genuine approach that would help her elevate her game, as well as the rise in her stock in the upcoming draft.
On SEC media day, the player revealed her reasons for the transfer decision, “Coach Yo was just different. I could just tell immediately that she was going to pour everything she had into not only me, but all of her players. She cares, and she really voiced how she wants me to be successful, not only on the basketball court, but just in life.”
However, the structure and gameplay of Ole Miss also played a significant role in her decision. The powerful forward could be the focal point of the team’s offense and immediately improves their defense, too.
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McMahon may not be one of the top five prospects in the 2026 WNBA draft, but she ranks 23rd in the country and fourth in her position, which virtually assures her a spot on a WNBA team in the 2026 season.
Cotie McMahon’s Numbers Prove Her Worth
The player was one of the top recruits entering the college season, and she lived up to the hype, posting 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game in her freshman year. Winning the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award and earning a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team were just the start of her bright career.
The youngster then showed consistency in her later two seasons as Ohio State won a regular-season championship with the athletic forward.
The All-American shone on the national stage too, winning gold medals with Team USA at the 2022 FIBA Women’s U18 Americas Championship and 2023 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup, and the 2024 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup. With a great understanding of the game and poised decision-making, she could be a valuable addition to the WNBA sides.