Photo courtesy of MSU Athletics/Kelly Donoho
After a legendary career at Mississippi State, Teaira McCowan’s professional career has begun after she was selected by the Indiana Fever with the 3rd overall pick in last night’s WNBA Draft.
“I kind of just blacked out,” said McCowan while discussing the moment she heard her name called at the podium by NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum. “I looked at my mom and just stared at her for a second then hugged her. I went up on stage and was just excited to be coming to a team where they need a big and I can do that for them.”
This past season, McCowan was named an All-American and the SEC’s Player of the Year after leading the Bulldogs in scoring (18.4 ppg) and rebounding (13.5 rpg). In addition to her work on the boards, McCowan also led the conference in blocks with 87.
Tamika Catchings, VP of Basketball Operations for the Fever, said that McCowan’s well-developed skillset made her the right pick.
“Every year she has developed, every year she has gotten better and better,” Catchings said. “I think when you look at the pieces that we have, the players that we have on this team, adding someone with her size and just being able to do the little things defensively – I think that will really help everybody overall.”
McCowan’s head coach at MSU, Vic Schaefer, knows how impactful she can be, and he shared the following message after she was selected.
After the #WNBADraft, @HailStateWBK head coach Vic Schaefer had an emotional message for @Teaira_15.#Fever20 | #AllForLove | #HailState pic.twitter.com/Z4Of6jmgvK
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 11, 2019
McCowan joins former Bulldog teammate Victoria Vivians on the Fever, but Vivians will miss the upcoming season after tearing her ACL.
After the draft, @Teaira_15 spoke about her reaction to being drafted, what it will be like to play with @VictoriaVivians, and she shared a special message for @HailStateWBK.#Fever20 | #AllForLove pic.twitter.com/sMM8hKay92
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 11, 2019
Anriel Howard was selected by the Seattle Storm in the second round.
#HailState ➡️ hailSTORM ⛈
🎥🎥🎥 @lashe5_#WeRepSeattle // #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/hSzstUCK6U
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) April 11, 2019
In her lone season at Mississippi State, Howard was named to the First-Team All-SEC while averaging 16.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
“Anriel is possibly the best defender in the draft, an incredible rebounder, and showed offensive development in her career that we are confident will continue to grow at the professional level,” Storm head coach Dan Hughes said.
This was the first time since 2010 that two Bulldogs were selected in the WNBA Draft.
