The University of Mississippi Athletics
TRANSCRIPT: Ole Miss Women’s Basketball Preseason Press Conference
9/26/2022 | Women's Basketball
<i class="icon-video"></i> Coach Yo Press Conference<i class="icon-video"></i> Angel Baker Press Conference<i class="icon-video"></i> Myah Taylor Press Conference<i class="icon-video"></i> Madison Scott Press Conference
Rebels Open 2022-23 Campaign with First Practice Thursday
OXFORD, Miss. – Coming off of its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 15 seasons, the excitement is abundant around Ole Miss women's basketball as the standard has been set and the path is clear on what it takes to become a postseason program.
Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, reigning SEC Sixth-Woman of the Year Angel Baker, 2021 SEC Freshman of the Year Madison Scott and graduate transfer Myah Taylor sat down with the media on Monday from the SJB Pavilion prior to Thursday's opening practice.
Below is a partial transcript from the press conference, all of which can be found in the links above.
Opening Statement:
Well, I mean its football season but it's really cool to be able to speak about some basketball. I'm really glad our football team won because I was at practice and I never go, and I was like uh oh did I mess this up? We figured it out because football has kind of been wild anyway. But just let's talk about basketball and I'm really excited about this year's group. Last year was a fun ride obviously now we are looking forward to creating new memories and moments. We got a lot of new faces that I am excited about introducing to the Oxford community. Everyone is asking me if I am ready for this season and my honest answer is no. But official practice has begun this week and we will begin to get ready as we started in the summer but officially now."
On the next goal after making the NCAA Tournament last year:
We are just continuing to rebuild not as much as like at first, we were trying to rebuild completely. Now we are just trying to reconstruct. Just like the new football facility, you get it, it's nice and then you want to expand and so we want to do the same thing. I think that is the goal to expand from where we were and to where we are trying to go. Which is to be a program that is expected to go to the NCAA tournament every year and beyond.
On replacing Shakira Austin:
We really don't focus on replacing anyone, we focus on player development. When Kira first came, she was averaging 9 (points) and 4 (rebounds) and she left 16 (points) and 9 (points). So, I think we assisted her in her development, and we want to do the same with this year's group. That has been a question I have gotten how we are going to replace, and I just don't think we focus on that. I think we focus pouring into our current group like I said which has a lot of new faces and everybody will be excited about ang giving them all of our energy and effort and supporting Kira when we can as she represents either the WNBA or USA.
On what's unique about this year's team:
This group has a quiet confidence. I think my teams in the past have been very loud. This group is more so quiet, they do believe in themselves. One thing that is unique with this group too is that they have experience in the NCAA Tournament here at Ole Miss so that is the expectation. Last year we were trying to paint the picture and say this is what it's going to be like, and this group is like coach we are going to the tournament that is the expectation. This group works pretty hard as well and they get along pretty well. I think every year if I were to bring the same team it would be a different group you know the same people. Because you know time, maturity, experiences so I don't think it's much different from any team because every group would bring their own personality and character. But we definitely have a solid blend of personalities and characters you all will meet.
On transferring to Ole Miss:
After the season, I decided to enter the transfer portal. The first person to contact me was Coach Yo as soon as I got in the transfer portal. I've always admired her from afar, of course we've played against them every year, twice a year, I just always felt her energy even on the opposing team. So, she is definitely someone I knew I would love to play for and just the ability here with what they were able to do last year, and years to come as they keep stacking years on years, it was something I wanted to be a part of. When I came on a visit, I instantly connected with the team and ever since then I guess it led to me being here.
On Coach Yo's sales pitch:
One thing about Coach Yo, you just feel her energy all the time, and that something I noticed when I talked to her over the phone. She even told me she was going to drive to State when I got in the portal to see me, but something came up. I also think me wanting to stay in Mississippi as well, being from Mississippi and trying to represent the state of Mississippi.
On the new team and chemistry:
Everything is going great. We have been doing a lot of team building. We just had a team building retreat, about two or three weeks ago. I think it was a time for all the players to be vulnerable with one each other and get to learn each other, their background, where they came from, how they think, how they move and things like that. Coach Yo and the staff have been very intentional on making sure that, for one, we get a bond, so that's what we have been doing.
On the atmosphere of the new group:
Everyone's different, but like Myah said, we did a lot of team bonding, so we're getting to know each other, it's going pretty well though, everybody's been pretty cool.
On the focus of this year coming off the NCAA Tournament:
Picking up where we left off, we made it to the tournament, but we trying to get past that first round.
On her goals for herself:
My mission for this year is to continue to let the world know who Angel Baker is, I feel like now I'm on people's scout, just trying to put the icing on the cake.
On replacing Shakira Austin:
Kira was a great player, it was hard to replace her, but I feel like the coaches have does a great job in bringing in new pieces to take her spot.
On playing with Myah Taylor:
I think the biggest thing that Myah brings to the team is her calmness, especially in practice if we have frustrating moments, she's always levelheaded and just her experience she brings, she been to the Final Four, she has a lot of experience.
On being one of the older members of the team:
It feels a little bit different; I'm leading more and talking more. Just trying to be there for everybody, they're new and it's a new system to adjust to. I'm trying my best to lead, I've been here and I know what to expect. Be somebody they can come to and get through everything together.
On a mindset shift after making the NCAA Tournament:
Job wasn't finished last year, there's a lot more work to be done. Of course, last year was great, but this year our focus is making it and winning games when we get there. Each year our goal is to get better, improve and grow together. As a team, as an organization that's what we're trying to do. Again, last year was great but that's behind us now. We have bigger things, bigger dreams, we're working extremely hard to do better than we did last year.
On adding a player like Myah Taylor:
Myah Taylor's amazing. She's a leader, she's our point guard. We depend on her for a lot, she calms us down but also changes the speed and speeds us up a little bit. She does a lot for us. Having her here instead of having to go against her is great. Again, she pushes us every day in practice, we're just working on building chemistry and looking forward to a great season with her.
On selling the program to players in the transfer portal:
I love Ole Miss. I am an Ole Miss Rebel. I want people to come and make history with us. I want people who want to be great, who want to do things that haven't been done before. So, it's important that we sell the program. It's important to show what we can do and show where we can go. We have to go hard for our program and that's what we do. It's why players like Myah Taylor and all the other transfers came. They believe in Coach Yo's vision and what we're trying to do here.
On her individual goals for the season:
I want to win. I've always said that when you win as a team, individual accolades follow. My main goal is winning, making history and going to war every night with my teammates.
Follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on Twitter at @YolettMcCuin
Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, reigning SEC Sixth-Woman of the Year Angel Baker, 2021 SEC Freshman of the Year Madison Scott and graduate transfer Myah Taylor sat down with the media on Monday from the SJB Pavilion prior to Thursday's opening practice.
Below is a partial transcript from the press conference, all of which can be found in the links above.
| HEAD COACH YOLETT MCPHEE-MCCUIN |
Well, I mean its football season but it's really cool to be able to speak about some basketball. I'm really glad our football team won because I was at practice and I never go, and I was like uh oh did I mess this up? We figured it out because football has kind of been wild anyway. But just let's talk about basketball and I'm really excited about this year's group. Last year was a fun ride obviously now we are looking forward to creating new memories and moments. We got a lot of new faces that I am excited about introducing to the Oxford community. Everyone is asking me if I am ready for this season and my honest answer is no. But official practice has begun this week and we will begin to get ready as we started in the summer but officially now."
On the next goal after making the NCAA Tournament last year:
We are just continuing to rebuild not as much as like at first, we were trying to rebuild completely. Now we are just trying to reconstruct. Just like the new football facility, you get it, it's nice and then you want to expand and so we want to do the same thing. I think that is the goal to expand from where we were and to where we are trying to go. Which is to be a program that is expected to go to the NCAA tournament every year and beyond.
On replacing Shakira Austin:
We really don't focus on replacing anyone, we focus on player development. When Kira first came, she was averaging 9 (points) and 4 (rebounds) and she left 16 (points) and 9 (points). So, I think we assisted her in her development, and we want to do the same with this year's group. That has been a question I have gotten how we are going to replace, and I just don't think we focus on that. I think we focus pouring into our current group like I said which has a lot of new faces and everybody will be excited about ang giving them all of our energy and effort and supporting Kira when we can as she represents either the WNBA or USA.
On what's unique about this year's team:
This group has a quiet confidence. I think my teams in the past have been very loud. This group is more so quiet, they do believe in themselves. One thing that is unique with this group too is that they have experience in the NCAA Tournament here at Ole Miss so that is the expectation. Last year we were trying to paint the picture and say this is what it's going to be like, and this group is like coach we are going to the tournament that is the expectation. This group works pretty hard as well and they get along pretty well. I think every year if I were to bring the same team it would be a different group you know the same people. Because you know time, maturity, experiences so I don't think it's much different from any team because every group would bring their own personality and character. But we definitely have a solid blend of personalities and characters you all will meet.
| GRADUATE GUARD MYAH TAYLOR |
After the season, I decided to enter the transfer portal. The first person to contact me was Coach Yo as soon as I got in the transfer portal. I've always admired her from afar, of course we've played against them every year, twice a year, I just always felt her energy even on the opposing team. So, she is definitely someone I knew I would love to play for and just the ability here with what they were able to do last year, and years to come as they keep stacking years on years, it was something I wanted to be a part of. When I came on a visit, I instantly connected with the team and ever since then I guess it led to me being here.
On Coach Yo's sales pitch:
One thing about Coach Yo, you just feel her energy all the time, and that something I noticed when I talked to her over the phone. She even told me she was going to drive to State when I got in the portal to see me, but something came up. I also think me wanting to stay in Mississippi as well, being from Mississippi and trying to represent the state of Mississippi.
On the new team and chemistry:
Everything is going great. We have been doing a lot of team building. We just had a team building retreat, about two or three weeks ago. I think it was a time for all the players to be vulnerable with one each other and get to learn each other, their background, where they came from, how they think, how they move and things like that. Coach Yo and the staff have been very intentional on making sure that, for one, we get a bond, so that's what we have been doing.
| SENIOR GUARD ANGEL BAKER |
Everyone's different, but like Myah said, we did a lot of team bonding, so we're getting to know each other, it's going pretty well though, everybody's been pretty cool.
On the focus of this year coming off the NCAA Tournament:
Picking up where we left off, we made it to the tournament, but we trying to get past that first round.
On her goals for herself:
My mission for this year is to continue to let the world know who Angel Baker is, I feel like now I'm on people's scout, just trying to put the icing on the cake.
On replacing Shakira Austin:
Kira was a great player, it was hard to replace her, but I feel like the coaches have does a great job in bringing in new pieces to take her spot.
On playing with Myah Taylor:
I think the biggest thing that Myah brings to the team is her calmness, especially in practice if we have frustrating moments, she's always levelheaded and just her experience she brings, she been to the Final Four, she has a lot of experience.
| SENIOR FORWARD MADISON SCOTT |
It feels a little bit different; I'm leading more and talking more. Just trying to be there for everybody, they're new and it's a new system to adjust to. I'm trying my best to lead, I've been here and I know what to expect. Be somebody they can come to and get through everything together.
On a mindset shift after making the NCAA Tournament:
Job wasn't finished last year, there's a lot more work to be done. Of course, last year was great, but this year our focus is making it and winning games when we get there. Each year our goal is to get better, improve and grow together. As a team, as an organization that's what we're trying to do. Again, last year was great but that's behind us now. We have bigger things, bigger dreams, we're working extremely hard to do better than we did last year.
On adding a player like Myah Taylor:
Myah Taylor's amazing. She's a leader, she's our point guard. We depend on her for a lot, she calms us down but also changes the speed and speeds us up a little bit. She does a lot for us. Having her here instead of having to go against her is great. Again, she pushes us every day in practice, we're just working on building chemistry and looking forward to a great season with her.
On selling the program to players in the transfer portal:
I love Ole Miss. I am an Ole Miss Rebel. I want people to come and make history with us. I want people who want to be great, who want to do things that haven't been done before. So, it's important that we sell the program. It's important to show what we can do and show where we can go. We have to go hard for our program and that's what we do. It's why players like Myah Taylor and all the other transfers came. They believe in Coach Yo's vision and what we're trying to do here.
On her individual goals for the season:
I want to win. I've always said that when you win as a team, individual accolades follow. My main goal is winning, making history and going to war every night with my teammates.
Follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on Twitter at @YolettMcCuin
Players Mentioned
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