Will Ole Miss Women's Basketball Star Cotie McMahon Be a First-Round Pick in 2026 WNBA Draft? Less than a month after the Ole Miss women’s basketball season concluded in the NCAA Tournament, Cotie McMahon is shifting her focus to the 2026 WNBA Draft. The standout player, who led her team with stellar performances, will attend the draft on April 13 at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York. The event, broadcast live on ESPN at 6 p.m. CT, will feature 15 prospects, including McMahon, marking her third consecutive year as an Ole Miss player selected in the draft. If drafted, McMahon would join a select group of Ole Miss athletes chosen during coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s tenure, becoming the program’s ninth overall draft pick. McMahon’s draft projections have positioned her as a strong contender for a first-round selection. ESPN’s latest mock draft places her as the No. 9 pick, with the Washington Mystics expected to select her. The Athletic projects her as the No. 14 pick for the Seattle Storm, while USA TODAY and CBS Sports both anticipate the Connecticut Sun taking her with the No. 15 pick, the final selection of the first round. This projection aligns with predictions from The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated, which also place her at No. 15 for the Sun. However, Bleacher Report’s mock draft diverges slightly, projecting McMahon as a second-round pick, though she would still end up with the Sun at No. 18. McMahon’s season performance has solidified her status as a top prospect. She averaged career-highs in points and assists, scoring 19.5 points per game—ranking third in the SEC—and dishing out 3.0 assists per game, a team-leading stat for Ole Miss. Her contributions extended beyond scoring and playmaking, as she also recorded 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.#ole_miss #seattle_storm #wnba_draft #cotie_mcmahon #the_shed_at_hudson_yards
Cotie McMahon Projected to Connecticut Sun in Final WNBA Mock Draft at No. 15 The 2026 WNBA Draft, set to begin in New York on Monday, April 13, has generated significant anticipation as teams finalize their strategies for the upcoming season. While the first overall pick has remained uncertain, recent developments in free agency have narrowed the focus for the Dallas Wings, who are expected to select UConn guard Azzi Fudd at No. 1. Other candidates for the top spot include Spanish forward Awa Fam, UCLA center Lauren Betts, and TCU guard Olivia Miles. However, the spotlight has shifted to Ole Miss standout Cotie McMahon, whose projected selection in USA TODAY’s final mock draft highlights her potential impact on the league. McMahon, a versatile forward with a strong offensive skill set, is anticipated to be chosen at No. 15 overall by the Connecticut Sun. The Sun’s selection of McMahon aligns with their need for a dynamic wing player capable of contributing immediately. McMahon’s ability to score from midrange, drive to the basket, and create space for teammates makes her a valuable asset for a team looking to strengthen its offensive options. Her high-energy playstyle and adaptability to different roles—whether as a wing or forward—position her as a key addition to the Sun’s roster. The mock draft, which incorporates potential trades and protections, reflects the evolving landscape of the WNBA. McMahon’s projected pick at No. 15 underscores her status as a first-round talent, despite the competition from other top prospects. Her performance at Ole Miss, where she averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3 assists per game while shooting 45.1% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc, has solidified her reputation as a well-rounded player.#ole_miss #azzi_fudd #wnba_draft #connecticut_sun #cotie_mcmahon
Washington Mystics Select Ole Miss' Cotie McMahon in 2026 WNBA Draft The Washington Mystics have selected Ole Miss women’s basketball standout Cotie McMahon with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, marking a significant addition to the team’s roster. McMahon, a 6-foot forward from Dayton, Ohio, became the fourth Ole Miss player drafted during coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s tenure and the ninth overall to be selected in the program’s history. The pick, announced on April 13, 2026, highlights McMahon’s rapid rise as a top-tier prospect following her standout performance in the 2025-26 season. McMahon’s college career saw her average 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, all career highs. She finished third in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in scoring and was named SEC Newcomer of the Year, earning a spot on the All-SEC first team. Her ability to thrive in the SEC, a league known for its physicality and competitive balance, underscored her readiness for the next level. McMahon’s contributions were pivotal for Ole Miss, as she helped the team navigate challenges while maintaining a high level of performance. The decision to draft McMahon was met with optimism, as her combination of scoring ability, playmaking, and physicality positioned her as a versatile asset for the Mystics. McPhee-McCuin, who has consistently emphasized the importance of pro-ready athletes, praised McMahon’s development, noting that she possesses the most refined physicality of any of her previous top WNBA prospects, including Madison Scott and Shakira Austin. This assessment highlights McMahon’s potential to adapt quickly to the demands of professional basketball. McMahon’s scoring prowess was a standout feature of her college career.#ole_miss #washington_mystics #cotie_mcmahon #yolett_mcpee_mcCuin #seattle_seattle
