Ole Miss’ Cotie McMahon has been announced as a finalist for the prestigious 2026 Gillom Trophy. This recognition comes from the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, highlighting her exceptional contributions to college basketball during her inaugural season with the Rebels.
Since its inception in 2008, the Gillom Trophy has celebrated excellence in women’s basketball across Mississippi. Named after Ole Miss legend Peggie Gillom-Granderson, this award is given annually to the most outstanding female player in the state. With four of the last five awards going to Rebels, including Shakira Austin (2021, 2022), Angel Baker (2023), and Madison Scott (2025), McMahon aims to continue this trend.
The winner will be revealed at a luncheon on April 15 at 11:30 a.m. CT at the Golden Moon Casino in Choctaw, Mississippi. Alongside McMahon are fellow finalists Madison Francis from Mississippi State and Jakayla Johnson from Southern Miss.
A Season of Recognition
Cotie McMahon’s journey this season has been nothing short of remarkable. She has garnered numerous accolades that underline her impact on and off the court. Among these honors are:
- Selection to the Cheryl Miller Final Five list
- Inclusion on the Wooden Award National Ballot
- Recognition as a WBCA Regional Finalist
In addition to these distinctions, she was named SEC Newcomer of the Year and earned First Team All-SEC honors—testament to her skill and dedication throughout a challenging season.
Her accolades extend beyond conference recognition; she also received national honors such as:
- USA TODAY Honorable Mention All-American
- The Sporting News Second Team All-American
- USBWA Honorable Mention All-American
- AP Honorable Mention All-American
Dominance on the Court
McMahon’s performance statistics illustrate why she is a standout player. Throughout her first season with Ole Miss, she averaged an impressive 19.5 points per game while shooting 45.1%. Additionally, she contributed significantly with averages of 5.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists over approximately 30 minutes per game.
Her numbers soared during SEC play, where she upped her scoring average to an impressive 21.0 points per game alongside 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists over nearly 34 minutes each contest.
With a total of 703 points, McMahon secured her place among Ole Miss legends by recording one of the highest single-season point totals in program history—ranking fourth overall for total points scored by a Rebel in one season.
Furthermore, she achieved 34 double-digit scoring games, surpassing Peggie Gillom-Granderson’s previous record for most such performances within a single season—a feat that underscores her consistency and prowess as an elite athlete.