Eric Boggs
Ohio State women’s basketball is facing a significant shake-up heading into the 2024-25 season, as its top scorer and one of the program’s most electrifying players, Cotie McMahon, has committed to Ole Miss. McMahon, a Centerville native and a cornerstone of the Buckeyes’ recent success, averaged a team-best 16.5 points per game this past season and leaves behind a three-year legacy that includes back-to-back first-team All-Big Ten honors and two AP All-American honorable mentions. Her decision to transfer comes just two weeks after Ohio State’s season ended in a second-round NCAA Tournament loss to Tennessee, a game after which McMahon publicly expressed frustration with the program.
McMahon’s impact in Columbus was undeniable. She burst onto the scene as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2023 and maintained elite production throughout her career, finishing with averages of 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Her departure is not just a statistical loss for the Buckeyes but an emotional one for fans who saw her as a symbol of the team’s competitive identity. Now, she takes her talents to an Ole Miss squad that reached the Sweet 16 before falling to top-seeded UCLA, bringing one year of eligibility and a wealth of experience to the SEC.
McMahon’s transfer isn’t the only change hitting Ohio State’s roster. Reserve center Faith Carson also entered the transfer portal, announcing her decision shortly after the Buckeyes’ tournament exit. Though her on-court impact was limited—she redshirted last season and appeared in only seven games as a freshman—Carson was once a highly-touted recruit from Buchanan, Michigan, and the 2023 Prep Girls Hoops-Michigan Player of the Year. Her departure, along with the graduation of four other players, trims Ohio State’s roster to just nine returning members.
While the Buckeyes have yet to announce any incoming transfers for the upcoming season, the coaching staff appears to be active on the trail. Former Boston College guard T’yana Todd reportedly visited campus this week, signaling Ohio State’s intent to reload after a turbulent end to the year. For fans, it’s a bittersweet moment—watching a homegrown star like McMahon leave is tough, but there’s cautious optimism that the program can regroup and stay competitive in the Big Ten.
