The Ole Miss Rebels have become a notable program within the Southeastern Conference in recent years. Guided by head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, the Rebels have celebrated four consecutive winning seasons, with clear improvements visible throughout her tenure. Over the weekend, Ole Miss made a pivotal advancement in recruiting by securing a commitment from Lauren Jacobs, surpassing South Carolina in the competition for her talents, as reported by Talia Goodman of On3 Sports.
Hailing from South Carolina, Jacobs had received a proposal from the current NCAA champions but chose to align herself with Ole Miss. She also had offers from prestigious Division 1 institutions, including Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Penn State, Marquette, and Mississippi State.
Jacobs shared with On3 that a vital element in her choice to select Ole Miss was the early engagement she experienced during her recruitment process.
“Coach Yo [Yolett McPhee-McCuin] was the first Power 5 program to offer me,” Jacobs expressed. “I have been building my relationship with her ever since then – for over two years. The vision she has for her program and what she has accomplished at Ole Miss really resonated with me. On my official visit, meeting everyone at Ole Miss – they are just wonderful people there.”
Recognized as a talented point guard in the 2025 class, Jacobs excels at combining playmaking with scoring.
Ole Miss Looks to Maintain Momentum
Last season, the Rebels experienced a notable loss when Marquesha Davis announced her intention to enter the WNBA Draft. Davis was subsequently selected by the New York Liberty as the 11th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and has already participated in 16 games for the Liberty as a rookie.
Despite this setback, Ole Miss is set to remain a strong contender in the SEC for the upcoming season. McPhee-McCuin has effectively leveraged the transfer portal to bolster the roster.
The Rebels have welcomed three standout players: former UCLA center Christeen Iwuala, former UT Arlington forward Starr Jacobs, and former Colorado guard Tameiya Sadler. Ole Miss initially secured a commitment from former Michigan State guard DeeDee Hagemann, but she has since withdrawn her commitment to join Memphis.
Returning players Kennedy Todd-Williams and Madison Scott are also expected to play crucial roles in the team’s achievements. The Rebels aim to build on last season’s performance, which concluded with a second-round exit in the NCAA Tournament following a Sweet 16 appearance in 2023.
Image Source: Olemisssports.com
