The University of Mississippi Athletics
Cotie McMahon Named to Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Preseason Watch List
11/7/2025 | Women's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS – The accolades continue to roll in for Ole Miss women's basketball senior forward Cotie McMahon, as she was one of 50 student-athletes to be named to the 2025-26 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Preseason Watch List, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association announced on Tuesday.
This marks the second time that the Ohio State transfer has been honored to the prestigious list, earning the recognition the past two years. McMahon has been named to two other preseason watch lists this season, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Preseason Top 20 Watch List and the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Women's College Player of the Year Watch List.
Tabbed as the top transfer forward, according to ESPN, McMahon was recently recognized by the conference's coaches and media as an All-SEC Second Team honoree. As a Buckeye, the Dayton, Ohio, native was a four-time All-America honorable mention and seven-time All-Conference selection. She also started all 97 games over three seasons in Columbus, helping her former program reach the Elite Eight as a freshman.
The Ann Meyers Drysdale Award is presented annually to the women's national player of the year by the USBWA. Named for the legendary UCLA guard, the award was first presented in the 1987-88 season and formally named in Meyers Drysdale's honor in the 2011-12 season. Ann Meyers Drysdale played at UCLA from 1974-78, which pre-dates the USBWA All-America selections. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership. The winner of the award will be announced at the 2026 Women's Final Four in Phoenix, with the formal presentation to follow at the annual USBWA Awards Luncheon hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 800 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and the Oscar Robertson Trophy, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485.
Season and single game tickets for the 2025-26 campaign are on sale now. Click here to secure yours today or visit OleMissTix.com.
Follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on X at @YolettMcCuin.
This marks the second time that the Ohio State transfer has been honored to the prestigious list, earning the recognition the past two years. McMahon has been named to two other preseason watch lists this season, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Preseason Top 20 Watch List and the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Women's College Player of the Year Watch List.
Tabbed as the top transfer forward, according to ESPN, McMahon was recently recognized by the conference's coaches and media as an All-SEC Second Team honoree. As a Buckeye, the Dayton, Ohio, native was a four-time All-America honorable mention and seven-time All-Conference selection. She also started all 97 games over three seasons in Columbus, helping her former program reach the Elite Eight as a freshman.
The Ann Meyers Drysdale Award is presented annually to the women's national player of the year by the USBWA. Named for the legendary UCLA guard, the award was first presented in the 1987-88 season and formally named in Meyers Drysdale's honor in the 2011-12 season. Ann Meyers Drysdale played at UCLA from 1974-78, which pre-dates the USBWA All-America selections. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership. The winner of the award will be announced at the 2026 Women's Final Four in Phoenix, with the formal presentation to follow at the annual USBWA Awards Luncheon hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 800 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and the Oscar Robertson Trophy, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485.
Season and single game tickets for the 2025-26 campaign are on sale now. Click here to secure yours today or visit OleMissTix.com.
Follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on X at @YolettMcCuin.
| 2025-26 ANN MEYERS DRYSDALE AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST (50) | |
| Janiah Barker, Tennessee | Raven Johnson, South Carolina |
| Zanai Barnett-Gay, Navy | Reniya Kelly, North Carolina |
| Raegan Beers, Oklahoma | Gianna Kneepkens, UCLA |
| Lauren Betts, UCLA | Ta'Niya Latson, South Carolina |
| Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt | Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, Baylor |
| Madison Booker, Texas | Peyton McDaniel, James Madison |
| Carla Brito, USF | Cotie McMahon, Ole Miss |
| Zoe Brooks, NC State | Olivia Miles, TCU |
| Addy Brown, Iowa State | Oluchi Okananwa, Maryland |
| Talaysia Cooper, Tennessee | Olivia Olson, Michigan |
| Audi Crooks, Iowa State | Khamil Pierre, NC State |
| Maggie Doogan, Richmond | Kiki Rice, UCLA |
| Charlise Dunn, Davidson | Sayvia Sellers, Washington |
| Joyce Edwards, South Carolina | Kaylene Smikle, Maryland |
| Toby Fournier, Duke | Madison St. Rose, Princeton |
| Azzi Fudd, UConn | Clara Strack, Kentucky |
| MiLaysia Fulwiley, LSU | Sarah Strong, UConn |
| Yarden Garzon, Maryland | Hannah Stuelke, Iowa |
| Delaney Gibb, BYU | Syla Swords, Michigan |
| Rori Harmon, Texas | Allie Turner, Gonzaga |
| Jordan Harrison, West Virginia | Rachel Ullstrom, Richmond |
| Stailee Heard, Oklahoma State | Grace VanSlooten, Michigan State |
| Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame | Riley Weiss, Columbia |
| Flau'Jae Johnson, LSU | Mikaylah Williams, LSU |
| Kymora Johnson, Virginia | Laura Ziegler, Louisville |
Players Mentioned
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