Two-time All-Big Ten first-team selection and 2023 Big Ten freshman of the year Cotie McMahon entered the transfer portal Wednesday, The Athletic confirmed. The junior has one year of eligibility remaining.
Through three seasons at Ohio State, McMahon averaged 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. This season, behind a significantly improved 3-point shooting percentage (37 percent), McMahon averaged a career-best 16.3 points per game for the Buckeyes. Ohio State, which received a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, lost at home in the second round to No. 5 Tennessee.
McMahon is the first surprising portal entrant of the year (the portal opened Tuesday). The Ohio native enrolled early at Ohio State, midway through her senior season, and had been the centerpiece of the Buckeye team for the past three seasons. She’s expected to be a big target for teams given her proven scoring ability, relentless motor on the glass and exuberance for the game, endearing her to basketball fans.
McMahon is expected to be a first-round draft pick in 2026 (when the draft expands to 15 picks in the first round), with her expanded shooting range this season proving her game should be more translatable to the WNBA, since she’s only 6-foot.
(Photo: Adam Cairns / USA Today via Imagn)
