New Ole Miss Rebel Talaysia Cooper
Coach Yo’ and staff did it again. Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, faced with rebuilding and reloading her roster, finished with the No. 3 transfer portal class in the nation, according to ESPN.
The class ranks No. 1 in the rugged SEC, per ESPN.
ESPN said, “The Rebels have used the portal effectively before, including this past season with leading scorer Cotie McMahon, the No. 11 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft. Ole Miss and Tennessee were part of a four-way tie for sixth in the SEC at 8-8. The Rebels then lost in the NCAA tournament’s second round to Minnesota.
“Now Ole Miss is looking to the portal again. Four of its transfers are from SEC schools, which always adds a little spice to those rivalries. Cooper — who led the Lady Vols in scoring, assists, steals and 3-pointers this past season — could be to the Rebels what McMahon was.”
THE TOP PORTAL CLASSES: https://www.espn.ph/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48688460/women-ncaa-basketball-transfer-portal-2026-top-classes
Headlining the list of top newcomers to Ole Miss is former Tennessee Lady Vol Talyasia Cooper. A guard, Cooper averaged 16 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 29 games at Tennessee last season.
Cooper is ranked as the No. 7 portal player in America in the 2026 class.
ESPN said: “Cooper fits the Ole Miss profile well. She’s long, athletic, can defend all over the floor and has significant SEC experience with both South Carolina and Tennessee. One of the few Lady Vols who consistently produced in Kim Caldwell’s unorthodox system in Knoxville, Cooper might still benefit from more consistent minutes. She averaged 16.0 points per game and shot an improved 34.3% from 3-point range. Cooper will likely be a foundational piece of coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s rebuild of the Rebels’ roster”
Cooper earned All-SEC Second Team honors for the second consecutive year during the 2025=2026 season. In 2024-25, Cooper was named to the 2024-25 SEC All-Defensive Team, proving she will be a key asset to McPhee-McCuin’s defensive philosophy.
Another of the Rebels’ nifty signees is former LSU guard Jada Richard, who ranks as America’s No. 12 player in the portal.
ESPN said: “The Rebels have added eight players in the portal, four of whom come from other SEC schools. Richard is the latest and will solidify Ole Miss at point guard. Richard had become one of LSU’s steadiest players by season’s end and started 34 games. She averaged 9.5 points and 3.2 assists and was a 40.8% 3-point shooter. She will now team up with former Tennessee players Cooper and Jaida Civil, along with KN’isha Godfrey of Florida to form the Rebels’ new core.”
McPhee-McCuin is excited.
“Jada is exactly what we were looking for in a point guard,” said McPhee-McCuin. “She’s a competitor, great defender, can shoot the ball extremely well, and is a true floor general. What I like most about her is her self-confidence and her ability to elevate others. She will be a tremendous fit here at Ole Miss.”
Other portal signees include Maya Anderson, Jaida Civil, Talaysia Cooper, Knisha Godfrey, Emily Howard, abnd Rachael Okokoh.