Ole Miss Basketball Teams Announce Rosters Ahead of 2025-26 Season
OXFORD, MS – Both the Ole Miss men’s and women’s basketball programs have finalized their rosters as they prepare for the 2025-26 season, following successful runs in the 2025 NCAA Tournaments.
The men’s team, coached by Chris Beard, will feature a mix of returning players and significant transfers. Forward Malik Dia is the only returning starter, having averaged 10.8 points per game last season, while key additions include Division II transfer Hobert Grayson IV, who averaged 21.8 points and 11 rebounds per game at Ouachita Baptist, and point guard Kezza Giffa from High Point University. Several other transfers join the team, including AJ Storr from Kansas and Travis Perry from Kentucky. The influx of new talent aims to offset the departure of several key players from last year’s squad. Coach Beard stated yesterday, “If I had to describe this team based on what we learned this summer and (in the) preseason, we have a lot of depth,” adding that depth is crucial for competitive practices and success in college basketball.
On the women’s side, Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s team welcomes a strong group of transfers led by Cotie McMahan, a two-time All-Big Ten honoree from Ohio State who averaged 16.5 points per game last season. UCF transfer Kaitlin Peterson, who surpassed 1,000 career points in just two seasons, also joins the Lady Rebels. The team will also rely on returning guard Sira Thinou, whose 79 steals as a freshman were the second-most in school history. This roster overhaul comes as Ole Miss looks to build on its recent postseason success and continue its ascent in the NCAA Women’s Basketball landscape.
Both programs are optimistic about their chances this season, with coaches emphasizing the depth and versatility of their respective teams. McPhee-McCuin expressed her excitement, stating, “I’m excited about Team 51 and what they bring to the table…We got a little bit of everything.” Both teams will begin practice later this month, with the season opener scheduled for November.
